Environmental monitor device

ABSTRACT

An environmental monitoring device comprises a data bus, a multitude of sensors, at least one processing unit, input/output device(s); communications interface(s), and memory. Communications interface(s) communicate with at least one environmental sensor device comprising with a multitude of sensors. The multitude of sensors may include particle counter(s), pressure sensor(s) and/or the like. The memory is configured to hold data and machine executable instructions. The machine executable instructions are configured to cause at least one processing unit to: collect sensor data from at least one environmental sensor device; and generate a report of sensor data that exceeds at least one threshold.

BACKGROUND

Air quality may be affected by a wide range of factors includingtemperature, humidity, air-flow, occupancy, particulate counts, thepresence of various chemical and biologic materials, and/or the like.Certain types of locations may need to maintain a standard of airquality. For example, poor air quality in a health care facility such asa hospital may lead to unnecessary infections. Poor air quality in asemiconductor manufacturing facility may lead to unnecessaryimperfections in manufactured products. Poor air quality in a housingand/or office environment may lead to long term exposure to harmfulelements that may lead to cancer or other disorders. Air quality may bemanaged using controlling factors such as, for example, air flow,temperature, particulate counts, and humidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Example FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an environmental sensordevice as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

Example FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating environmental sensingsystem in a facility as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Example FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an external environmentalmonitoring device as per an aspect of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Example FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a multitude ofenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) interconnected as a system vianetwork(s) as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

Example FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an aspect of an embodimentof the present invention.

Example FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an aspect of an embodimentof the present invention.

Example FIG. 7 is a screen shot of a threshold setup interface as per anaspect of an embodiment of the present invention.

Example FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are charts showing contamination values forvarious particle sizes that may be employed in configuring aspects of anembodiment of the present invention.

Example FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are charts showing example varioushealthcare facility guidelines that may be employed in configuringaspects of an embodiment of the present invention.

Example FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computing environment that maybe employed according to some aspects of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention measure andreport environmental air quality.

Example FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an environmental sensordevice 100 as per an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.Embodiments of the environmental sensor device 100 may comprise a databus 120, a multitude of sensors 110, at least one processing unit 130,at least one communications interface 150, and memory 140.

A data bus 120 is a communication system that transfers data betweencomponents inside or between electronic device(s). According to some ofthe embodiments, data bus 120 may include various hardware components(wire, optical fiber, etc.) and associated software, includingcommunication protocols. Data buses may include parallel electricalwires with multiple connections. Data bus 120 may include a physicalarrangement of electronic components and connections to provide thelogical functionality of a parallel electrical bus. Some embodiments ofdata bus 120 may employ both parallel and bit serial connections and maybe wired in either a multi-drop (electrical parallel) or daisy chaintopology, or connected by switched hub(s) (e.g. as in the case ofUniversal Serial Bus (USB)).

The data bus 120 may be an internal or external data bus. Someembodiments of an internal bus may include a memory bus, a system bus, aFront-Side-Bus, a combination thereof, and/or the like. An internal busmay connect internal components of an electronic device such as aprocessing unit 130, memory 140, communications interface 150, humaninterface 180, power conditioning/management device 160, and/or thelike. Therefore, an internal data bus may also be referred to as a localbus because it may connect to local devices. An external bus (orexpansion bus) may include electronic pathways to connect differentexternal devices, such as external sensor(s), external processingdevice(s), external printer(s), external memory device(s), and/or thelike. Examples of external buses may include USB, Ethernet, RS-232,and/or the like.

At least one processing unit 130 may be connected to the data bus. Aprocessing unit 130 may include hardware configured to execute theinstructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical,logical, and input/output operations within a system. In someembodiments, a processing unit 130 may comprise a central processingunit (CPU) with associated hardware (e.g. power, input/output, data businterface, display, etc.). In other embodiments, a processing unit 130may comprise a microcontroller.

A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated μC, uC or MCU) is a smallcomputer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core,memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Examplemicrocontrollers include, but are not limited to: an Intel 8051 familymicrocontroller, a Freescale 6811 family microcontroller, an ARMCortex-M family core processor, an Atmel AVR family microcontroller, anSTMicroelectronics STM32 microcontroller, and/or the like.

An input/output/communications interface 150 may be connected to thedata bus and configured to communicate with at least one externalmonitoring device. An input/output/communications interface 150 may beemployed to communicate sensor data (raw and/or processed) to at leastone external device such as, but not limited to: an externalenvironmental monitoring device 170, another environmental sensor device100, a server, Software as a Service (SaaS), a smart device, a cellphone interface, a web interface, a combination thereof, and/or thelike. An input/output/communications interface 150 may be configured toaccept commands from at least one external device such as, but notlimited to: an external environmental monitoring device 170, anotherenvironmental sensor device 100, a server, an SaaS, a smart device, acell phone interface, a web interface, a combination thereof, and/or thelike.

A communications interface 150 may comprise an electronic circuitconfigured to a specific communications standard to enable one machineto telecommunicate with another machine. Examples of communicationsstandards include wired or wireless communications interfaces. Examplesof wired communications standards include Ethernet, General PurposeInstrument Bus (GPIB), RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, Serial peripheralinterface (SPI), an inter-integrated circuit interface (I2C), FireWire™,USB, and/or the like.

Some wired interfaces may provide power. An example of such an interfaceis a Power over Ethernet (PoE) interface. PoE describes any of severalstandardized or ad-hoc systems which pass electrical power along withdata on Ethernet cabling. This allows a single cable to provide bothdata connection and electrical power to devices such as wireless accesspoints, sensor devices, or remote processing devices. (The term remoteis used here in a relative form to mean remote from a power source).Another example of a wired interface that may deliver power to a deviceis USB. However, unlike USB devices, PoE may allow for longer cablelengths. Power may be carried on the same conductors as the data, or itmay be carried on dedicated conductors in the same cable.

There are several common techniques for transmitting power over Ethernetcabling. Two of them have been standardized by The Institute forElectrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) standard IEEE 802.3. Sinceonly two of the four pairs of wires on a 10BASE-T connector may beneeded for 10BASE-T or 100BASE-TX, power may be transmitted on theunused conductors of a cable. In the IEEE standards, this is referred toas Alternative B. Power may also be transmitted on the data conductorsby applying a common-mode voltage to each pair. Because Ethernet may usedifferential signaling, this may not interfere with data transmission. Acommon mode voltage may be extracted using the center tap of thestandard Ethernet pulse transformer. This is similar to the phantompower technique commonly used for powering audio microphones. In theIEEE standards, this is referred to as Alternative A.

In addition to standardizing existing practice for spare-pair andcommon-mode data pair power transmission, the PoE may also provide forsignaling between the power source equipment (PSE) and powered device(PD). This signaling may allow the presence of a conformant device to bedetected by the power source, and may allow the device and source tonegotiate the amount of power required or available.

According to some of the various embodiments, the communicationsinterface 150 comprises a wireless communications interface. Examples ofwireless communications interfaces include, but are not limited to:Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, radio, optical and cellular interfaces. The wirelesscommunications interface may be configured to transfer informationbetween two or more points that are not connected by an electricalconductor. Common wireless technologies use radio. Radio wave distancesmay be dependent on factors such as transmission signal wavelength,signal strength, encoding technique, environmental attenuation factors,combinations thereof, and/or the like. Other methods of achievingwireless communications may include the use of other electromagneticwireless technologies, such as light, magnetic, or electric fields orthe use of sound.

According to some of the various embodiments, the communicationsinterface 150 comprise input/output configurations. Input/outputconfigurations (often referred to as I/O or IO) include circuitry(sometimes in combination with software and/or firmware) to enablecommunication between an information processing system and the outsideworld, possibly a human or another information processing system. Inputsare the signals or data received by the system, and outputs are thesignals or data sent from it. I/O devices may employ interface 150 tocommunicate with various embodiments. For instance, a keyboard or amouse may be an input device(s) for various embodiments, while monitorsand printers may be an output device(s) for various embodiments. Otherexample devices, such as modems and network cards, may serve for bothinput and output.

The designation of a device as either input or output depends on theperspective. Mouse and keyboards convert physical human user outputmovements into signals that various embodiments may understand. Theoutput from these devices may be input for various embodiments.Similarly, printers and monitors take as input signals that variousembodiments output. The I/O devices may convert data to representationsthat human users can see or read. For a human user the process ofreading or seeing these representations is receiving input. Additionalexamples of devices that may be employed through acommunications/input/output Interface include, but are not limited to:memory-mapped I/O, device drivers, secondary storage, sensors, andactuators.

Memory 140 may include physical device(s) used to store programs(sequences of instructions 145) or data 146 (e.g. program stateinformation) on a temporary or permanent basis for use by other elementsin environmental sensor device 100 such as processing unit 130,communications interface 150, sensors 110, and/or the like. Memory 140may comprise instruction segment(s) 145 and/or data segment(s) 146.Memory 140 may include primary high speed memory (e.g. Random Accessmemory (RAM), Read-only Memory (ROM)), and/or secondary memory, whichmay include physical devices for program and data storage which are slowto access but offer higher memory capacity. The term storage may includedevices such as, but not limited to: tape, magnetic disks and opticaldiscs (CD-ROM and DVD-ROM). If needed, primary memory may be stored insecondary memory employing techniques such as “virtual memory.”

Primary memory may be an addressable semiconductor memory, i.e.integrated circuits consisting of silicon-based transistors accessibleto processing unit 130 via data bus 120. Semiconductor memory mayinclude volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Examples of non-volatilememory are flash memory (sometimes used as secondary computer memory andsometimes used as primary computer memory) and ROM/PROM/EPROM/EEPROMmemory (used for firmware such as boot programs). Examples of volatilememory are primary memory (typically dynamic RAM (DRAM), and fast CPUcache memory (typically static RAM (SRAM), which is fast butenergy-consuming and offers lower memory capacity per area unit thanDRAM).

The instruction segment may include computer readable instructions 145configured to cause at least one processing unit 130 to, among othertasks: collect sensor data from at least one of the multitude of sensors110, generate processed sensor data from the sensor data, and generate areport of processed sensor data that exceeds at least one threshold.

The multitude of sensors 110 may be connected to data bus 120. A sensoris a converter device that measures a physical quantity and converts itinto a representation that may be read by an observer or by an observerdevice. For example, a thermocouple may convert temperature to an outputvoltage which may be converted by an analog to digital converter into adigital representation of the temperature. The digital representationmay be read and/or processed by a device such as, for example,processing unit 130. For accuracy, some sensors may be calibrated. Asensor is a device, which responds to an input quantity by generating afunctionally related output, for example, in the form of an electricalor optical signal. A sensor's sensitivity may indicate how much thesensor's output changes when the measured quantity changes. Some sensorsmay have high sensitivities to measure small changes. Other sensors mayhave lower sensitivities to measure larger changes.

The multitude of sensors 110 may comprise, but are not limited to:particle counter(s) 111, pressure sensor(s) 112, light sensor(s) 113,sound sensor(s) 114, air quality sensor(s) 115, humidity sensor(s) 116,temperature sensor(s) 117, vibration sensor(s) 118, combinationsthereof, and/or the like. Pressure sensors(s) 112 may comprisedifferential pressure sensor(s). Various embodiments may includedifferent combinations of sensors 110. For example, some embodiments mayfocus on particulate contamination and include a particle counter thatmay comprise a pressure sensor. Particulate count may be a measure ofthe cleanliness of an environment. Other embodiments may focus onpatient satisfaction and include light sensor(s) 113, sound sensor(s)114, air quality sensor(s) 115, humidity sensor(s) 116, and temperaturesensor(s) 117. More inclusive embodiments may include combinations ofsensors found in both particulate contamination and patient satisfactionembodiments. It is envisioned that various combinations of sensors maybe configured in various embodiments to serve the various and additionalneeds of a specific location.

As noted earlier, some embodiments may monitor factors related topatient satisfaction. Such embodiments may be configured to, forexample, monitor and baseline sound levels, light levels, air quality,humidity, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

The multitude of sensors 110 may comprise additional sensors. By way ofexample and not limitation, additional sensors may include: particlereflection sensor(s), albido sensor(s), particle spectroscopy sensor(s),particle imagery sensor(s), laser induced fluoroscopy sensors,combinations thereof, and/or the like. Laser induced fluoroscopy sensorsand/or similar sensors may be employed to identify organic particles.Sensors may be internal or external to environmental sensor and/ormonitor device(s). Sensors that are located external to an environmentalsensor and/or monitor device(s), may be connected via a wired (e.g.cable) or wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi) connection. Sensors may have remotecomponents that are external to a main component. Remote in this sensemeans physically separate from the main component. The remote componentmay be connected via a wired (e.g. cable) or wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi)connection.

According to some of the various embodiments, particle counter(s) 111may comprise multiple channels for counting particles of differentsizes. The multiple channels may include one or more of, but not limitedto: a channel for particles that are approximately 10 um and less, achannel for particles that are approximately 5 um and less, a channelfor particles that are approximately 1 um and less, a channel forparticles that are approximately 0.5 um and less, and a channel forparticles that are less than 0.5 um. Some of the channels may beoptional channels. Some of the various embodiments may include aparticle counter(s) 111 that may comprise channels configured to measureparticles in different sizes and/or different ranges.

Some of the various particle counter(s) 111 may count particles asparticles per unit volume. Some of the various particle counter(s) 111may report counts in a cumulative counting mode. A cumulative countingmode may be configured to accumulated particle data in multiple (all orselected) particle size channels. Some of the various particlecounter(s) 111 may report counts in a differential counting mode.Differential counting may report particle data as the number ofparticles in a specific particle size channel. Similarly, some of thevarious particle counter(s) 111 may report counts in an ISO class mode.ISO class counting may report particle counts according to defined ISOclasses. ISO codes may provide a mechanism to quantify particulatematter by size. ISO codes are established by the InternationalOrganization for Standardization, an international standardsorganization based in Geneva, Switzerland. Under ISO code system(s),code numbers are set up, each representing a given range of particlesper unit volume. Smaller code numbers correlate to smaller numbers ofparticles. ISO class counting may require assigning bin sizes to one ormore ISO class numbers. ISO class counting may report particle counts byISO code numbers in either cumulative and/or differential countingmodes.

Some of the various particle counter(s) 111 may have at least onechannel. Each of the channel(s) may be configured to: have a channelsize; and count particles that are equal or greater than the channelsize. Particle counts may be converted into processed sensor data.Processed sensor data may ignore sensor data from the particlecounter(s) 111 for specific sized particles. The processed sensor datamay also perform one or more statistics on raw particle counts. Astatistic is a process by which more than one particle count may becombined into a resultant value. A statistic may include mathematicalanalysis, linear algebra, stochastic analysis, differential equations,measure-theoretic probability theory, and/or the like.

Some of the various embodiments may employ a pressure sensor(s) 112configured to measure the pressure of gases (e.g. air) in one or morelocation(s). Pressure is an expression of the force required to stop afluid from expanding and is usually stated in terms of force per unitarea. Pressure sensor(s) may act as a transducer to generate a signal asa function of the pressure imposed. Such a signal may be electrical,digital, optical, and/or the like. Some of the various pressure sensors112 may be configured to measure pressure in a dynamic mode forcapturing changes in pressure.

Pressure sensor(s) 112 may comprise differential pressure sensor(s). Adifferential pressure sensor may include a pressure measuring devicethat is configured to measure and report the relative difference inpressure in two separate areas. So, for example, the differentialpressure sensor may be configured to measure the differential pressurebetween a remote area and a local area. A differential pressure sensormay measure the difference between two pressures, one connected to eachside of the sensor. Differential pressure sensors may be used to measuremany properties, such as pressure drops across air filters and/or flowrates between physical areas (by measuring the change in pressure acrossa restriction such as a wall).

According to some of the various embodiments, pressure sensor(s) 112 maycomprise and/or be configured as differential pressure sensor(s). Amultitude of pressure sensor(s) 112 may be configured as a differentialpressure sensor. For example, a differential pressure sensor may beconfigured employing at least two static pressure sensors.

According to some of the various embodiments, a differential pressuresensor may be configured to measure a remote pressure via tube.According to other embodiments, a differential pressure sensor may beconfigured to measure a remote pressure via static sensor pressure tip.According to yet other embodiments, a differential pressure sensor maybe configured to measure a remote pressure via a signal communicatedfrom a remote static pressure sensor. Some of the various differentialpressure sensor(s) may be configured to measure a local pressure via alocal port.

Facilities such as healthcare institutions may place pressure sensors inkey rooms that may or may not be networked. Some pressure sensors may beas simple as a ball in a tube. Some facilities such as healthcareinstitutions may also employ a handheld particle counter in key rooms to“baseline” particle counts. However, it may be useful to network thepressure sensor to track room pressure 24/7, baseline the room pressure,and observe events when no one is available to monitor the pressuresensor. It may be useful to network the particle counter to track roomparticle counts 24/7, baseline the room particle counts, and observeevents when no one is available to monitor the particle counter. When aparticle counter is only read periodically (e.g. once a day, week, monthor quarter), it may provide little information regarding what happenedin between sampling times.

From an infection control standpoint, it may be useful to know twothings about key rooms (e.g. operating rooms, immune compromised patientrooms, airborne isolation rooms), namely that pressure is maintained andthat the facility air filtering system is properly removingparticulates. Some of the various embodiments, by combining these twofunctions, particularly in a networked manner with the ability topost-process monitored data, provides an improved level of maintainingfacility air quality.

Light sensor(s) 113 may be employed in some embodiments to measureambient light in a location. The light may be measured in a unit suchas, but not limited to Lux. The light sensor(s) 113 may be referred toas photo sensors or photo detectors and may be configured to senseand/or measure light and/or other electromagnetic energy. Examples oflight sensors include, but are not limited to: active-pixel sensors(APSs); charge-coupled devices (CCD), reverse-biased LEDs,photoresistors, light dependent resistors (LDR), photovoltaic cells,solar cells, photodiodes, photomultiplier tubes, phototubes,phototransistors, quantum dot photoconductors, and/or the like.

Sound sensor(s) 114 may be employed in some embodiments to measureambient sound in a location. Sound Sensor(s) 114 may comprise anacoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound in airinto an electrical signal. Sound sensors 114 may include various typesof acoustic, sound and/or vibration sensor 118, such as, but not limitedto a device employing: electromagnetic induction (dynamic microphones),capacitance change (condenser microphones), piezoelectricity(piezoelectric microphones) to produce an electrical signal from airpressure variations, a combination thereof, and/or the like. Soundsensors 114 employed by various embodiments may comprise a condensermicrophone, an electret condenser microphone, a dynamic microphone, aribbon microphone, a carbon microphone, a piezoelectric microphone, afiber optic microphone, a laser microphone, a liquid microphone, a MEMSmicrophone, and/or the like. Sound sensor(s) 114 may be connected to acircuit such as a preamplifier circuit, an amplifier circuit, signalprocessing circuit, and/or the like. The circuit may include at leastone wide dynamic range logarithmic amplifier, at least one A-weightedaudio filter, a combination thereof, and/or the like.

The machine readable instructions 145 may include machine readableinstructions configured to cause the at least one processing unit 130 tointegrate or otherwise process sound sensor data. The processing mayinclude integrating the sound sensor data with a sliding peak-holdfunction.

Some of the various embodiments may employ at least one humiditysensor(s) 116. A humidity sensor 116 may be configured to detect andmeasure atmospheric humidity. Some of the various humidity sensors 116may comprise a resistance or capacitance element that varies with thesurrounding humidity that may be configured to generate an analog (e.g.current or voltage) and/or digital value corresponding to fluctuationsin humidity. Some of the various humidity sensors 116 may sense relativehumidity. This means that the humidity sensor 116 measures both airtemperature and moisture. Relative humidity may be, according to someembodiments, expressed as a ratio of actual moisture in the air to thehighest amount of moisture air at that temperature can hold. The warmerthe air is, the more moisture it can hold, so relative humidity changeswith fluctuations in temperature. A common type of humidity sensor usesa “capacitive measurement.” This system may rely on electricalcapacitance, or the ability of two nearby electrical conductors tocreate an electrical field between them. The sensor itself may beconfigured using two metal plates with a non-conductive polymer filmbetween them. The film may collect moisture from the air causing changesin the voltage between the two plates. The changes in voltage may beconverted into digital readings showing the amount of moisture in theair.

Some of the various embodiments may employ at least one temperaturesensor 117. A temperature sensor 117 may comprise a device that measurestemperature or a temperature gradient using a variety of differentprinciples. A temperature sensor 117 may comprise a device in which aphysical change occurs with temperature, plus a device for convertingthe physical change into a measureable value. Examples of devices inwhich a physical change occurs with temperature include, but are notlimited to: bi-metallic stemmed thermometers, thermocouples, infraredthermometers, and thermistors.

Some of the various embodiments may employ at least one air qualitysensor 115. Some of the various air quality sensors may comprise atleast one CO2 sensor. A CO2 sensor may measure CO2 as parts per millionand/or other suitable quantity. Alternative embodiments may comprise atleast one hazardous gas sensor. A hazardous gas sensor may measure thepresence of gases such as hydrogen peroxide, chlorine, and/or the like.A hazardous gas sensor may employ sensors such as, but not limited to:infrared (IR) point sensor(s), infrared imaging sensor(s), ultrasonicsensor(s), electrochemical gas sensor(s), holographic gas sensor(s), andsemiconductor sensor(s).

An electrochemical gas sensor may be configured to allow gases todiffuse through a porous membrane to an electrode where the gas may beeither oxidized or reduced. A variable amount of current may be produceddetermined by how much of the gas is oxidized at the electrode. Thesensor may be able to determine the concentration of the gas.Electrochemical gas sensors may be customized by changing the porousbarrier to allow for the detection of a certain gas concentration range.

An IR point sensor may employ radiation passing through a volume ofmeasured gas to detect the presence of specific gasses. Energy from theradiation may be absorbed as the measured gas passes through the gas atcertain wavelengths. The range of wavelengths that is absorbed dependson the properties of the specific gas. Carbon monoxide absorbswavelengths of about 4.2-4.5 μm, for example. This is approximately afactor of 10 larger than the wavelength of visible light, which rangesfrom 0.39 μm to 0.75 μm for most people. The energy in this wavelengthmay be compared to a wavelength outside of the absorption range. Thedifference in energy between the two wavelengths may be proportional tothe concentration of specific gas present.

An infrared imaging sensor may be configured to scan a laser across thefield of view of a scene and look for backscattered light at theabsorption line wavelength of a specific target gas. Passive IR imagingsensors, on the other hand, may be configured to measure spectralchanges at each pixel in an image and look for specific spectralsignatures which indicate the presence of target gases.

Semiconductor sensors may be configured to detect gases by a chemicalreaction that takes place when a gas comes in contact with the sensor.Tin dioxide is one of the various materials that may be employed insemiconductor sensors. The electrical resistance in the sensor maydecrease when it comes in contact with the monitored gas. The resistanceof tin dioxide may be around 50 kΩ in air but can drop to around 3.5 kΩin the presence of 1% methane. This change in resistance may be employedto calculate a gas concentration. Semiconductor sensors may be employedto detect, for example, hydrogen, oxygen, alcohol, and harmful gasessuch as carbon monoxide.

Ultrasonic gas detectors may be configured to employ acoustic sensors todetect changes in the background noise of an environment in order todetect a probability that gas may be leaking into an environment thathas a pressurized gas line, such as for example, an operating room, apatient room, and/or the like. Since some gas leaks occur in theultrasonic range of 25 kHz to 10 MHz, the sensors may be able to easilydistinguish these frequencies from background noise which occurs in theaudible range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Ultrasonic gas leak sensors mayproduce an alarm when there is an ultrasonic deviation from the normalcondition of background noise. Despite the fact that ultrasonic gas leaksensors may not measure gas concentration directly, the device may stillbe able to determine the leak rate of an escaping gas. By measuring itsultrasonic sound level, the detector may be able to determine the leakrate, which may depend on the gas pressure and size of the leak. Thebigger the leak, the larger its ultrasonic sound level may be.

Holographic gas sensors may be configured to employ light reflection todetect changes in a polymer film matrix containing a hologram. Sinceholograms reflect light at certain wavelengths, a change in theircomposition may generate a colorful reflection indicative of thepresence of gas molecule(s). A holographic sensor may be configured withillumination source(s) such as white light or lasers, and a detectorsuch as a CCD detector or the like.

Some of the various embodiments may comprise an on-unit human interfacedevice 180. A human interface device 180 is a type of electronic devicethat interacts directly with, and most often takes input from, humansand may deliver output to humans. A human interface device may connectto an electronic device that is integrated with the environmental sensordevice 100. Examples of electronic devices that interact directly with ahuman include, but are not limited to: mice, keyboards, joysticks,displays, switches, speakers, sound (and voice) synthesizers, smartdevices, color LED(s), LCD display(s), touchpad(s), touchscreen(s),audio alarms, alerts, combinations thereof, and/or the like. On-unithuman interface device 180 may comprise such electronic devicesdiscretely or in combination. Some of the on-unit human interface device180 components may be embedded in the body of one or more of themultitude of sensors 110, an environmental sensor device 100, anenvironmental monitoring device 170, an enclosure 190, combinationsthereof, and/or the like.

Some of the various embodiments may comprise power conditioning and/ormanagement devices 160. A power conditioning device (also known as aline conditioner or power line conditioner) is a device configured toimprove the quality of power delivered to an environmental sensor device100. A power conditioning device may employ one or more mechanisms todeliver a voltage of levels and characteristics that enable othercomponents (e.g. processing unit 130, memory 140, interface 150, databus 120, and/or the like) to function properly. In some embodiments, apower conditioner may comprise a voltage regulator with at least oneother function to improve power quality (e.g. power factor correction,noise suppression, transient impulse protection, etc.). According tosome of the embodiments, a power conditioner may be configured to smoothan incoming sinusoidal alternating current (AC) wave form and maintain aconstant voltage over varying loads.

Some of the various embodiments of power conditioning and/or managementdevices 160 may manage power for all or part of the environmental sensordevice 100. According to some embodiments, the power management maycomprise changing a power state for all or part of the components in theenvironmental sensor device 100. Some power states may include, but arenot limited to: on, off, inactive, low-power, medium power, high power,and/or the like. Power management may comprise monitoring the powerstate for: one or more power sources (e.g. AC power, batteries, and/orthe like), all or part of the components in the environmental sensordevice 100, and/or the like. Power management may manage the charging ofbatteries and/or the switching between power sources.

Environmental sensor device(s) 100 may communicate to environmentalmonitoring device(s) 170 via a communications link 151. Thecommunications link 151 may communicate over a data network.

According to some of the various embodiments, all or part ofenvironmental sensor device 100 may be disposed in an environmentalenclosure 190. Enclosure 190 may be a sealed enclosure to protectenvironmental sensor device 100, at least some of the sensors 110,and/or the like in environments such as a lab, a pharmacy, areas subjectto wash-down, combinations thereof, and/or the like. The enclosure 190may be configured to a National Electrical Manufacturers Association(NEMA) standard (e.g. NEMA 4). NEMA defines standards for various gradesof electrical enclosures typically used in industrial applications. Eachgrade is rated to protect against designated environmental conditions. Atypical NEMA enclosure might be rated to provide protection againstenvironmental hazards such as water, dust, oil or coolant or atmospherescontaining corrosive agents such as acetylene or gasoline. For example,a NEMA 4 enclosure is defined as a watertight (weatherproof) containerconfigured to exclude at least 65 gallons per minute (GPM) of water froma 1-in. nozzle delivered from a distance not less than 10 ft. for 5 min.A NEMA 4X enclosure generally has corrosion resistance.

Enclosure 190 may include caps or covers for air inlet(s). The walls ofenclosure 190 may retain a fire and smoke barrier rating. Enclosure 190may be configured for various mounting positions such as, but notlimited to: a ceiling mounted position, a plenum, a tube, a wall,combinations thereof, and/or the like. According to some of the variousembodiments, enclosure 190 may be configured to maintain a fire andsmoke barrier rating of location (e.g. ceiling) in which the enclosure190 is mounted. Enclosure 190 may also be configured to enable placementof sensor(s) in out-of-the-way locations, including, for example,facilitating tubing to adjacent locations.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration 200 of multipleenvironmental sensor devices (e.g. 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287,288, 289, 290, 291, 292, and 299) located in various locations (e.g.211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222 and 229)throughout a facility 210 communicating with an environmental monitoringdevice 270 over communication channels (e.g. 241, 242, 243, 244, 245,246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 259 and 275) via network 260. Thisconfiguration is presented for example purposes only. It is expectedthat the use of environmental sensor device(s) 100 may be configuredvarious topologies. As illustrated in this example, a facility 210 (e.g.a health care facility) may have various locations dedicated fordiffering purposes. Example locations for which there may be a desire tomonitor environmental quality include, but are not limited to: patientrooms) 211, laborator(ies) 212, treatment room(s) 213, patientpreparation room(s) 214, operating room(s) 215, nurses station(s) 216,waiting room(s) 217, hallway(s) 218, pharmac(ies) 219, airborneinfection isolation room(s) 220, protective environment room(s) 221,construction/demolition/renovation area(s) 222 and outside area(s) 229.

Each of these various locations may have different environmental qualityrequirements. For example, the environmental quality in a waiting room217 and hallway 218 may not need to be as stringent as the environmentalquality in an operating room 215. In addition to air quality, noise andlight levels may be more important to manage in a patient room 211 than,for example, in a waiting room 217. It may also be desired toindependently monitor each of the independent locations. As illustrated:patient room 211 may be configured to be monitored by environmentalsensor device 281, laboratory 212 may be configured to be monitored byenvironmental sensor device 282, treatment room 213 may be configured tobe monitored by environmental sensor device 283, patient preparationroom 214 may be configured to be monitored by environmental sensordevice 284, operating room 215 may be configured to be monitored byenvironmental sensor device 285, nurses station 216 may be configured tobe monitored by environmental sensor device 286, waiting room 217 may beconfigured to be monitored by environmental sensor device 287, hallway218 may be configured to be monitored by environmental sensor device288, and a location outside the facility 210 may be configured to bemonitored by an outdoor environmental sensor device 299. Each of theenvironmental sensor devices (e.g. 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287,288, 289, 290, 291, 292, and 299) may then independently report airquality values to one or more environmental monitoring device(s) 270 viaa network 260.

According to some of the various embodiments, an external monitoringdevice 170 may be employed to monitor environmental sensor device(s)100. FIG. 3 illustrates an example environmental monitoring device 370as per an aspect of environmental monitoring device 170. The exampleenvironmental monitoring device 370 may comprise a data bus(es) 320,processing unit(s) 330 connected to the data bus(es) 320,input/output/communications interface(s) 350, and memory 340. As shownin this illustration, example environmental monitoring device 370 mayalso comprise power conditioning/management module 370. The data bus(es)320, processing unit(s) 330, input/output/communications interface(s)350, memory 340, and power conditioning/management module 370 componentsare similar to the previously disclosed elements in environmental sensordevice 100. So for example, data bus(es) 320 may be similar to databus(es) 120, processing unit(s) 330 may be similar to processing unit(s)130, input/output/communications interface(s) 350 may be similar toinput/output/communications interface(s) 150, memory 340 may be similarto memory 140, and power conditioning/management module 370 may besimilar to power conditioning/management module 160. The phrase “may besimilar to” means that the hardware, software in combination withhardware, functionality, and/or the like may be, according to someembodiments, compatible and/or the same. According to some of thevarious embodiments, components and combinations of components from theexample environmental sensor device 100 and example environmentalmonitoring device 370 may be employed in other embodiments of exampleenvironmental sensor device(s) and example environmental monitoringdevice(s).

As illustrated in this example embodiment, theinput/output/communications interface 350 may be configured tocommunicate with at least one environmental sensor device (321, 322 . .. 329) over communications links (351, 331, 332 . . . 339) via network360. The communications may comprise sensor data from at least oneenvironmental sensor device (321, 322 . . . 329). Additionally, thecommunications may comprise other types of information includingcommands, analysis, status, and/or the like.

Network 360 may comprise a telecommunications network configured toallow electronic devices to exchange data. In such a network, electronicdevices such as environmental monitoring device 370 and environmentalsensor devices (321, 322 . . . 329) may pass data to each other alongdata connections (e.g. 351, 331, 332 . . . 339). The connections(network links) between nodes may be established using either cablemedia or wireless media. The network 360 may comprise multipleinterconnected networks. Examples of networks include the Internet, WideArea Networks (WANs). Local Area Networks (LANs) and intranet(s). Someof the various networks may be internal to a facility and some of thevarious networks may be external to a facility. Nodes may compriseelectronic devices that originate, route and terminate data. Nodes mayinclude hosts such as environmental monitoring device 370, environmentalsensor devices (100, 321, 322 . . . 329), personal computers, phones,servers as well as networking hardware. Two such devices are said to benetworked together when one device is able to exchange information withthe other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to eachother. Network 360 may be configured to support applications such asaccess to the World Wide Web, shared use of application and storageservers, printers, and fax machines, and use of email and instantmessaging applications. Parts of network 360 may differ in the physicalmedia used to transmit data signals, the communications protocols toorganize network traffic, the network's size, topology andorganizational intent.

Example FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a multitude ofenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . .409) interconnected as a system via network(s) 440. According to some ofthe various embodiments, some environmental sensor device(s) may alsoact as an environmental monitoring device. Similarly, according to someof the various embodiments, some environmental monitoring device(s) mayalso act as an environmental sensor device. In such a configuration,some (or all) of the environmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402,403, 404, 405 . . . 409) may be configured to communicate data to otherenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . .409). According to some of the various embodiments, the network may bean organized network, either pre-planned or laid-out according to anorganizational scheme. An organizational scheme may include some of theenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . .409) in certain locations reporting to other environmentalsensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . . 409) in otherlocations. For example, environmental sensor/monitor device(s) inpatient rooms may be configured to report to environmentalsensor/monitor device(s) in locations containing facility or healthcareworkers.

In yet other embodiments, some (or all) of the environmentalsensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . . 409) may connectthemselves into an ad hoc network. In such an embodiment, one or more ofthe some (or all) of the environmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401,402, 403, 404, 405 . . . 409) may determine some other (or all) of theenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . .409) operating within the network and connect to one or more of theother devices forming the ad hoc network configuration. In someembodiments, one or more of the some (or all) of the environmentalsensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . . 409) may becomemaster units directing the connections. In yet other embodiments, some(or all) of the environmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403,404, 405 . . . 409) may each make their own decisions as to which othersome (or all) of the environmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402,403, 404, 405 . . . 409) to attempt to connect. The connections may bemade using a protocol. An example protocol may comprise one of theenvironmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . .409) sending a request to link to one or more of the other environmentalsensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402, 403, 404, 405 . . . 409) and thatsome (or all) of the environmental sensor/monitor device(s) (401, 402,403, 404, 405 . . . 409) sending back an affirmative and/or negativereply, leading to a possible data connection.

An environmental monitor device 370 may be a device that is configuredto specifically monitor environmental sensor devices. The environmentalmonitor may be a SaaS program running on a server and accessible on anetwork. The network may be a local network or public network (e.g.Internet). The Software as a Service may comprise one or more programsconfigured to receive sensor data, process the sensor data, analyze thesensor data, and/or take actions based upon the sensor data. Theprograms may be configured to feed results between each other. Forexample, one SaaS may be configured to receive and filter sensor data.The output of that SaaS may be fed to another SaaS that is configured torun a statistical analysis on filtered sensor data. The output of thatSaaS may be communicated to an alarm SaaS that is configured to setvarious alarms based on the statistical analysis.

According to some of the various embodiments, external monitoringdevice(s) 370 may comprise at least one environmental monitoringprogram. Such an embodiment may comprise a particular monitoring programthat performs all of the monitoring functions on one machine. However,it is envisioned that such a program may also be configured as a seriesof programs configured to interact. Some of the programs may run onconnected devices. Some of the programs may be environmental sensingprograms configured to read sensors. Some of the sensors may benetworked sensors.

According to some of the various embodiments, external monitoringdevice(s) may employ a network based server. The network based servermay be accessible via a cloud based network (e.g. Internet). The networkbased server may host various elements of a monitoring system, such as,but not limited to: databases, SaaS, software monitoring programs and/orhardware, supervisory data acquisition and/or control (SCADA) hardwareand/or software, interface drivers, and/or the like.

Memory 340 may include segments to hold different types of electronicdata such as, but not limited to: instructions 341, database 342,parameters 343, variables 344, thresholds 345, alarms 346, and reports347. The instructions 341 may be configured to cause processing unit 330to perform various actions related to various embodiments.

Instructions 341 may be configured to cause one or more processors toperform actions in support of environmental sensing, environmentalmonitoring, and/or the like. The actions may be configured to interactwith environmental sensor devices, other distributed processinghardware, reporting systems, alarm systems, air handling equipment, gassuppression equipment, and/or the like. The instructions may be in theform of at least one of the following: object code, assembly code,interpretive code, compiled code, linked code, library modules, and/orthe like.

According to some of the various embodiments, external monitoringdevice(s) may employ database(s) 342. A database is an organizedcollection of data. The database may be configured to store data, forexample, for various sensors by location and time. The data may beorganized to model aspects of reality in a way that supports processesrequiring this information. For example, according to some of thevarious embodiments, the database may model the environmentalcharacteristics of one or more facilities. For example, some entries fora database may represent characteristics such as particle count inadjacent locations in the facility. The database may also includepressure information for each of these adjacent locations. Using thedatabase 342 as a model, it may be possible to predict the movement ofparticle from high pressure locations to lower pressure adjacentlocations.

Database(s) 342 may be accompanied with database management system(s)(DBMS s) specially designed software application(s) that interact withthe user, other application(s), and the database itself to capture andanalyze data. A general-purpose DBMS is a software system designed toallow the definition, creation, querying, update, and administration ofdatabases. Well-known DBMSs include MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite,Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, SAP HANA, dBASE, FoxPro, IBM DB2,LibreOffice Base, FileMaker Pro, Microsoft Access and InterSystemsCache. Some of the databases may be of various types such as, but notlimited to: operational databases, specific databases, externaldatabases, hypermedia databases, and/or the like. The database 342 maybe sized to the number of apparatuses reporting to the at least oneexternal monitoring device 370.

Database(s) 342 may employ at least one database interface. At least onedatabase interface may be configured to display and/or present processedsensor data from the database in, for example, a tabular format, agraphical format, a text format, a query/answer format, and/or the like.A database interface (DBI) may separate the connectivity of a DBMS intoa “front-end” and a “back-end.” Applications may employ an exposed“front-end” application programming interface (API). An unexposedback-end may convert communicate data and/or instructions between theAPI and a database and/or related components. These facilities maycommunicate with specific DBMS (Oracle, PostgreSQL, etc.) via “devicedrivers.” The API may specify how some software components (e.g.database components) interact with each other. In addition to accessingdatabases, an API may be employed to ease the work of programminggraphical user interface components. According to some embodiments, theAPI may employ a library that includes specifications for routines, datastructures, object classes, and variables. In other embodiments, the APImay employ remote calls exposed to API consumers.

A device driver (commonly referred to as simply a driver) may comprise acomputer program that operates or controls a particular type of devicethat is attached to a system. The driver may provide a softwareinterface to hardware devices, enabling a database, database interface,operating systems and/or other computer program to access hardwarefunctions without needing to know precise details of the hardware beingused. A driver typically communicates with the device through thecomputer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects(e.g. displays, sensors, memory devices, communication interfaces,and/or the like). When a calling program invokes a routine in thedriver, the driver may issue commands to the device. Once the devicesends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in theoriginal calling program. Drivers may be hardware-dependent andoperating-system-specific. Device drivers may provide the interrupthandling required for any necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardwareinterface.

Memory may comprise a data segment. The data segment may provide datastorage for a database and/or independent storage. The data segment maycomprise data storage for sensor data. The sensor data may be raw and/orprocessed.

Raw data (sometimes referred to as primary data) may comprise datacollected from a source such as a sensor. Raw data, generally, has notbeen subjected to any significant processing or other manipulation. Rawdata may, among other possibilities: contain errors; be unvalidated; bein different formats; and uncoded or unformatted. For example, a datainput from a pressure sensor may comprise a raw value that represents apressure measured from the sensor.

Once captured, raw data may be processed into processed sensor data.Processing of the data may involve converting the raw value to anormalized and/or calibrated value. For example, it may be known that araw value of zero for a particular linear pressure sensor represents 10pounds per square inch (PSI) and that raw value of 256 represents a 90PSI. Processing may use this information to convert the raw data valueto processed data value that accounts for this conversion. Processeddata may also represent the raw data in a format that is compatible withcomputers and humans to interpret during later processing.

Processed sensor data may comprise variations of data including, but notlimited to: real-time sensor data, time-weighted average (TWA) sensordata, short term exposure limit (STEL) sensor data, sensor datacollected in a temporal window, combinations thereof, and/or the like.Real-time sensor data denotes sensor data that is fresh (e.g. recentlycollected and timely). TWA may comprise the average concentration ofcontaminants over a specified time period (e.g. 3 hours).Mathematically, TWA may represent the integrated area under theconcentration curve over time divided by time period. STEL may comprisea TWA exposure over a second period of time (e.g. 15 minutes) whichshould not be exceeded at any time, even if a longer TWA is withinlimits. Sensor data collected in a temporal window may represent datameasurement collected during a window of time. For example, a temporalwindow may be defined that collects data for the previous 15 minutes.With such a window, any collected data that is older than 15 minutes maybe discarded. According to some embodiments, some processed sensor datamay ignore specific sensor data. For example, processed data may ignoreoutlier data, data during certain temporal windows, data collected whilea sensor stabilizes, and/or the like.

According to some of the various embodiments, memory may comprise datastorage for threshold data 345. Threshold(s) represent a magnitude orintensity that must be exceeded for a certain reaction, result, orcondition to occur. Examples of thresholds include, but are not limitedto: a maximum safe pressure level, a period of time where a differentialpressure may exceed a specific value, specific sensor data, and/or thelike. Thresholds 345 may comprise multiple and distinct thresholds. Oneor more of the thresholds may exhibit common characteristics. One ormore of the thresholds may exhibit uncommon characteristics. At leastone threshold comprises a predetermined threshold. A predeterminedthreshold is a threshold that has been established or decided inadvance. Predetermined thresholds may be determined in many ways. Forexample, at least one of the predetermined thresholds may be determinedbased upon a standard such as, for example, the U.S. Federal Standard209E, the international IEST ISO 14644-1 standard, and/or the like. ISO14644-1standard for cleanroom is divided into a series of classesreferred to as ISO 1, ISO 2 . . . ISO 9. According to some of thevarious embodiments, at least one predetermined threshold may comprise areference threshold. The reference threshold may be based at least inpart on, for example, ISO 9. According to some of the variousembodiments, at least one of the predetermined thresholds may bedetermined at least in part on a combination of at least two cleanroomstandards. Similarly, at least one threshold may comprise apredetermined threshold determined at least in part on at least onefacility guideline, a combination of at least two facility guidelines,and/or the like.

Other predetermined thresholds may be determined based upon previousmeasurements. For example, at least one threshold comprises apredetermined threshold determined at least in part on baseline sensordata. The baseline sensor data may be measured at the facility during abaseline measuring period. Baseline sensor data may also be determined,at least in part, based on open air measurements taken outside thefacility.

Yet other predetermined thresholds may be determined based on thelocation of a sensor. For example, a particle count threshold for aparticle counting sensor may be lower for a sensor located in anoperating room than for a sensor located in a waiting room.

There can be multiple types of thresholds for various situations,locations, sensors, combinations thereof, and/or the like. At least onethreshold may comprise a light threshold. A light threshold may be setwith regard to the illumination in a room. One light threshold may beset for evening and another for during the day. Another light thresholdmay be determined based on the locations, such as, for example, apatient room, an operating room, a hallway, a waiting room, and/or thelike.

Thresholds may be set for different levels. In other words, multiplethresholds may be set for the same for a sensor in a particularlocation. For example, a vibration sensor may have a low, medium andhigh threshold. Each of these thresholds may be employed by a monitoringsystem to invoke different actions. A light threshold may alert a nurse.A medium threshold may alert a facility manager. A high threshold maysend out an alert to a community monitor.

At least one threshold may comprise a sensor specific threshold. Asensor specific threshold may be set based on the individualcharacteristics of an individual sensor. For example, it may bedetermined that a particular temperature sensor has unique non-linearcharacteristic(s). Specific thresholds associated with this particularsensor may be set to account for the unique non-linear characteristicsof the sensor.

At least one threshold may comprise a multiple sensor threshold. Amultiple sensor threshold may require that a plurality of conditionsoccur for a multitude of sensors. Without the plurality of conditionsoccurring, the threshold will not be met. The plurality of conditionsmay be as simple as two sensors each exceeding a simple level threshold.The plurality of conditions may be more complex and require a specificsequence of sensor behaviors before activating.

Some thresholds may comprise a time component. A time component mayconsider, for example, aberrations from an expected rate of change invalue(s), the time of day and/or the like. Some thresholds may comprisean occupation component. An occupation component may consider, forexample factors that may affect the amount of contamination at alocation. (e.g. an increase in the quantity of people (occupationstatus) increasing the number of contamination particles).

Thresholds may be communicated between environmental sensing devices,environmental monitoring devices, and/or the like. These communicationsmay be, according to some embodiments, caused by processing hardwareunder the control of machine executable instructions. For example, amachine readable instructions segment of memory on an environmentalsensing device may include machine readable instructions configured tocause processing unit(s) to communicate at least one threshold to atleast one environmental monitoring device. Similarly, thresholds may becommunicated from environmental monitoring device(s) to environmentalsensing device(s), between environmental monitoring device(s), andbetween environmental sensing device(s).

An alarm is a warning indication. The warning indication may begenerated by, for example, an environmental monitoring device 370.According to some of the various embodiments, alarm data associated withalarms may be stored in an alarms segment 346 of memory 340. The alarmssegment 346 may be stored in a continuous block or may be divided intodiscrete segments. The discrete segments may be stored in various partsof the memory. Some parts of the alarms segment 346 may be on a diskdrive, while other parts may be on a solid state drive. Yet other partsmay be stored off device, accessible via communications I/O interface350. The alarm data may include parameters for the alarms, formulas forsetting alarms, alarm events, alarm history, and/or the like.

According to some of the various embodiments, alarm operations may beconducted via machine readable instructions executed via processingunit(s). Some of the operations may be performed on the environmentalmonitoring device, an environmental sensor device, an external deviceconfigured to perform alarm operations (e.g. a SaaS on a server, anexternal alarm device, a smart device, and/or the like. Some alarm datamay be shared among such various devices.

According to some of the various embodiments, processing unit(s) may beemployed to set at least one alarm. Alarm(s) may be set according, atleast in part, based on a predetermined threshold. For example, an alarmmay be set when a value (e.g. sensor value, combinations of sensorvalues, a sequence of events, and/or the like) exceeds a predeterminedthreshold. In another example, at least one alarm may be set when asensor specific threshold is exceeded. In yet another example, at leastone alarm may be set when a multitude of sensor thresholds are exceeded.

At least one alarm may be set according to an alarm fatigue rule. Alarmfatigue may occur when one is exposed to a large volume of alarms and,as a result, one becomes desensitized to the firing alarms.Desensitization can lead to longer response times or missing importantalarms. The constant sounds of alarms and noises from devices such asblood pressure machines, ventilators and heart monitors may cause a“tuning out” of the sounds due to the brain adjusting to stimulation.This issue is present in hospitals, in home care environments, nursinghomes and other medical facilities alike. According to some of thevarious embodiments, alarm settings may be set to report alarms tospecific parties tasked with handling the situation that generated thealarm.

At least one alarm may be categorized as at least one of the following:a data alarm; a network alarm; a calibration alarm; a combination of theabove; and/or the like. A data alarm may indicate that one or moresensors are reporting data that has been determined to be out of anexpected range. A network alarm may indicate communication problems.Some network alarms may be more important than others. For example, onealarm may indicate the total loss of communications with a device.

Another alarm may indicate intermittent communication loss. Yet othernetwork alarms may indicate that only a particular connection is havingdifficulty. A calibration alarm may indicate that a sensor and/or devicemay need to be calibrated. Calibration may be schedule based, ordetermined by observing reading over time. In some cases sensor data maybe compared with other sensor data to determine that a device is out ofcalibration. Some alarms may combine classifications.

According to some of the various embodiments, at least one alarm may bereported to at least one of the following: a facility worker; a networkadministrator; a healthcare professional; an emergency responder; acombination of the above; and/or the like. A determination as to wherean alarm may be routed may be based on an alarm classification. Forexample, a network alarm may be routed to a network administrator andnot reported to a healthcare worker. A data alarm that indicates aprobability of harm to a patient (e.g. hazardous gas alarm) may bereported to a healthcare professional and/or an emergency responder inaddition to a facility worker and not to a network administrator. Somedata alarms may indicate that an air filter is getting dirty. Such analarm may be reported to a facility worker without involving ahealthcare worker.

The reporting of alarms may be performed according to a notificationlist. For example, if a network alarm goes off, the system may contact ascheduling network administrator and then a network manager and then anetwork technician sequentially, until the alarm is reset. Each of theseparties may be listed on a notification list. The notification list mayalso include contact information including, but not limited to: apreferred method of notification, a preferred method of notificationbased on the time of day and week, an alternative method ofnotification, and/or the like. Methods of notification may include, butare not limited to: email, cell phone, instant messaging, audible(sound) notification, visual notification (e.g. blinking light),combination thereof, and/or the like. Some embodiments may start withthe least disturbing methods first (e.g. sounds and lights) when thealarm does not require immediate attention.

Some embodiments may employ an “ignore period” where alarm(s) may besilenced for an alarm specific delay time. Some embodiments may initiatean initial alarm and then implement an “ignore period” before soundingthe alarm again. Each time the alarm is sounded, it may be modified tobecome more noticeable to the appropriate person. According to someembodiments, some alarms may be reset after a reset delay. A reset delaymay be a period of time that an alarm is reported. Alarms may bereported to at least one external monitoring device.

Embodiments may generate one or more reports. Alarms may be added toreport(s). Alarms and reports may be communicated to at least one otherdevice such as an environmental sensor device, environmental monitoringdevice, a monitoring program, and/or the like. When the other devicereceives an alarm, the other device may take additional actions. Theadditional actions may include, but are not limited to: employing thealarm to set an additional alarm, amplify the alarm as a condition insetting another alarm, relay the alarm, record the alarm, report thealarm, and/or the like. For example, an environmental sensor device maycommunicate a hazardous gas alarm from a high pressure room to anenvironmental sensor device in an adjoining lower pressure room. Thismay cause the environmental sensor device in the adjoining lowerpressure room to set off its own hazardous gas alarm ahead of measuringa dangerous hazardous gas level itself. Alternatively, the environmentalsensor device in the adjoining lower pressure room may lower a hazardousgas threshold in anticipation that hazardous gas may leak into itslocation.

According to some of the various embodiments, processing unit(s) maycalibrate at least one of the multitude of sensors and/or cause at leastone of the multitude of sensors to be calibrated. The calibration may bebased, at least in part, on a baseline measurement(s). The baselinemeasurement(s) may be based on measurements taken at a facility orlocation in use at an earlier time, in a laboratory/testing facility,and/or the like. The calibration may be based, at least in part, on anabsolute measurement. The absolute measurement may be made underconditions where the value of the measurement is known. For example, tocalibrate a pressure sensor, a measurement may be made in a chamber thatcan be set to at least one known pressure, such as one atmosphere, twoatmosphere, etc.

Sensor(s) may also be calibrated against a known standard. A standard isan object, system, or experiment that bears a defined relationship to aunit of measurement of a physical quantity. Standards are thefundamental reference for a system of weights and measures, againstwhich all other measuring devices may be compared. Standards may bedefined by many different authorities. Many measurements are defined inrelationship to internationally-standardized reference objects, whichare used under carefully controlled laboratory conditions to define theunits of, for example, length, mass, electrical potential, and otherphysical quantities. Some standards are known as reference standards.

Some calibration may employ a calibration device. A calibration devicemay be a measurement device that has itself been calibrated andverified. Such a device may have a resolution greater than that requiredfor the sensor being calibrated. Calibration devices may be obtainedfrom companies such as Extech Instruments Corporation of Nashua, N.H.The calibration for at least one of the multitude of sensors may bebased, at least in part, by determining and then employing a measurementcorrection factor between a measurement on a particular sensor and theknown quantity being measured.

Embodiments of both environmental sensor device(s) 100 and environmentalmonitoring device(s) 370 may comprise and/or employ user interfaces. Auser interface relates to components and/or systems employed toeffectuate human and machine interactions. The interaction communicatesoperation and control desires of a user and/or feedback from a machine.The user interface may comprise a graphical user interface, at least oneswitch, at least one indicator, at least one display, at least one touchscreen, at least one projector, a combination thereof, and/or the like.According to some of the various embodiments, a user interface may beemployed to set and/or report: at least one threshold, at least onealarm, operating parameters, at least one status, and/or the like. Auser interface may be configured to display and/or graph data. Data mayalso be presented as peak data, present peak data, recommended valuesfor at least one threshold, recommended values for alarms, and/or thelike. Recommended values for thresholds and/or alarms may be based upon,at least in part, specific sensors, measurements on sensors, calibrationdata, values from facility guidelines, previous measurements, intendeduse of a location, values from a standard, and/or the like.

Embodiments of both environmental sensor device(s) 100 and environmentalmonitoring device(s) 370 may be configured to display reports. Reportsmay display information such as, but not limited to: real-time rawsensor data, real-time processed sensor data, historical raw sensordata, historical processed sensor data, analyzed data, thresholds,alarms, location, time, calibration data, statistical data, recommendedvalues for alarms, thresholds and/or other parameters, and/or the like.Reports may be configurable or standard. Reports may be based upontemplates. Reports may be created on a local device, created on anexternal device, created using information and/or data from an externaldevice, a combination thereof, and/or the like. Similarly, reports, inpart or in whole, may be communicated to an external device and/orreceived from an external device. In some embodiments, a report may begenerated locally based, at least in part, on information and/orconfiguration data from an external device. Similarly, a report may begenerated remotely based, at least in part, on information and/orconfiguration data from a local device. Reports may be communicated torecipients listed in a notification list. The communication may be viaemail, text messaging, cellular calls, nurse call tag, pager, intercom,combinations thereof, and/or the like.

According to some of the various embodiments, environmental monitordevice 370 may also be configured to collect sensor data from at leastone environmental sensor device.

Some of the various embodiments may be performed as a method employingenvironmental sensor devices and/or environmental monitor devices. Forexample, according to an example embodiment, thresholds may be set byemploying one or more of the following actions as illustrated in FIG. 5.A multitude of environmental sensor devices may be configured tocommunicate with at least one external monitoring device at 510.According to some of the various embodiments, the multitude ofenvironmental sensor devices may comprise: at least one particlecounter, at least one differential pressure sensor, a combination of theabove, and/or the like. Other sensors may also be employed. Examples ofother sensors comprise, but not limited to: a light sensor, a soundsensor, an air-quality sensor, and/or the like.

At 520, at least one of the environmental sensor devices may beconfigured to sample outside air. At least one of the environmentalsensor devices may be configured to sample inside air at 530.

Sensor data may be collected from the multitude of environmental sensordevices for a first period of time at 540.

The sensor data may be processed to determine at least one baselinesensor threshold at 550. The baseline sensor thresholds may bedetermined by comparing collected sensor data from the outside air tocollected sensor data from the inside air. Baseline sensor threshold(s)may also be determined by, for example, comparing collected sensor datawith values derived from at least one cleanroom standard, facilityguide, air quality standard, combination thereof, and/or the like.

At least one of the multitude of environmental sensor devices may beconfigured with at least one baseline sensor threshold at 560. Forexample, at least one alarm is set based, at least in part, on at leastbaseline sensor threshold. Baseline sensor threshold(s) may becommunicated to at least one external device such as, but not limitedto: an external environmental monitoring device 170, anotherenvironmental sensor device 100, a server, a SaaS, a smart device, acell phone interface, a web interface, a combination thereof, and/or thelike. Further, baseline sensor threshold in a database may be stored inone or more of these various locations. Baseline sensor threshold(s) maybe stored in database(s).

Another example embodiment may comprise a method of monitoringenvironmental air quality as illustrated in FIG. 6. At 610, sensor datamay be collected, employing at least one environmental sensor and/ormonitoring device from at least one particle counter and/or at least onedifferential pressure sensor. At 620, processed sensor data may begenerated from the sensor data. At 630, a report that comprisingprocessed sensor data that exceeds at least one threshold may becreated. The report may be distributed as discussed earlier.

Other embodiments may employ firmware in one or more devices such as,but not limited to: an external environmental monitoring device 170,another environmental sensor device 100, a server, an SaaS, a smartdevice, a cell phone interface, a web interface, a combination thereof,and/or the like.

Firmware is the combination of persistent memory and program code anddata stored in the persistent memory. Persistent memory may includenon-transitory storage medium(s). The program code may comprise machinereadable instruction configured to cause one or more processors toperform prescribed actions.

Typical examples of devices containing firmware are embedded systemssuch as: external environmental monitoring devices, environmentalmonitor devices, computers, computer peripherals, mobile phones,combinations thereof, and/or the like. The firmware contained in thesedevices may provide the control program for the device.

Firmware may be held in non-volatile memory devices such as ROM, EPROM,or flash memory. Changing the firmware of some devices may be performedduring the lifetime of the device; some firmware memory devices may bepermanently installed and unchangeable after manufacture. Common reasonsfor updating firmware include fixing bugs or adding features to thedevice. This may require ROM integrated circuits to be physicallyreplaced or flash memory to be reprogrammed through a special procedure.Some firmware may provide elementary basic functions of a device and mayprovide services to higher-level software. Firmware such as the programof an embedded system may be the only program that will run on thesystem and provide all of its functions. On other devices, the firmwaremay be augmented with additional machine readable instructions.

Flashing (or flashing firmware) may be employed to overwrite existingfirmware or data on memory modules present in an electronic device. Thismay be done to upgrade a device or to change the provider of a serviceassociated with the function of the device, such as changing from onemonitoring and control service provider to another.

According to some embodiments, program code may be employed to cause atleast one processing unit in an environmental sensor device and/orenvironmental monitor device to: collect sensor data from at least oneparticle counter; generate processed sensor data from the sensor data;and generate a report of processed sensor data that exceeds at least onethreshold that accounts for a remote particle count. In yet anotherembodiment, program code may be employed to cause at least oneprocessing unit in an environmental sensor device and/or environmentalmonitor device to: collect sensor data from at least one particlecounter; generate processed sensor data from the sensor data; andgenerate a report of processed sensor data that exceeds at least onethreshold, the threshold mapping multiple processed sensor data to asingular value, the threshold applying the value to a healthcarestandard. According to yet additional embodiments, program code may beemployed to cause at least one processing unit in an environmentalsensor device and/or environmental monitor device to: perform many ofthe other tasks described herein.

Multiple environmental sensor devices may be interconnected via anetwork. The network may interconnect air quality sensor devices viawired and/or wireless communications. Wired communications may employvarious interfaces such as, for example, RS-232, RS-422, Ethernet and/orthe like. Some of the interfaces may provide both data and power over,for example, a cable. Wireless interfaces may include, but are notlimited to: Wi-Fi, 802.11, Bluetooth, cellular, and/or the like.

Traditionally, connecting multiple co-located devices into a commonnetwork was difficult to implement if the devices were not specificallydesigned to be powered and to communicate over a network. Many devicesare not network capable, and have analog voltage or current outputs,such as environmental sensors including temperature, humidity, light,sound, and air quality/gas detection. Some devices may be digital innature, such as a legacy RS-232 interface, but may be revised withadditional circuitry to adapt the interface to other interfaces, suchas, for example, an Internet Protocol (IP) based network environment.Some devices may be network compatible, but require separate data andpower connections per device. For these reasons, connecting a group ofdevices into a modern IP based network environment may require multipledata connections to be made between the devices and/or a centralnetwork, as well as multiple power connections that may requiredifferent voltages.

While some applications may support such multiple power and dataconnections, many applications do not. One such application is interiorenclosures used for housing WLAN and telecommunications equipment. Inthis application, a small number of Ethernet cables are all that may bepermissible to connect an equipment enclosure to a network switch, withboth data and power required to be carried by the Ethernet cables. Anexample of how to provide both power and data over an Ethernet cable isprovided by IEEE standards that define Ethernet network interfaces (IEEE802.3), and supplying Power over Ethernet, (IEEE 802.3af/at). So forexample, according to some of the various embodiments, a system may beassembled that allows multiple remote stand-alone devices such asenvironmental sensors with digital or analog outputs, and serial devicessuch as RS-232 console ports, to be integrated into an 802.3 Ethernet IPbased network using an Ethernet connection between the network andremote devices. The devices may communicate with the network and receivepower over a single 802.3 Ethernet cable.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedto establish environmental thresholds for real-time environmentalquality monitoring employing multi-sensor environmental sensor devices.The multisensory environmental sensor devices may be distributedthroughout a facility to allow real-time, 24/7 monitoring and long-termprofiling. According to some of the various embodiments, theenvironmental sensor devices may also be moved around a facility asneeded to monitor specific areas such as construction or problematicareas.

Environmental sensor devices, environmental monitoring devices and/orenvironmental systems may be employed in infection control, facilitiesmanagement, and/or the like. With respect to infection control, some ofthe various embodiments of the present invention may be employed to, forexample: monitor airborne particulate counts facility-wide; monitordifferential room pressure of key areas; verify performance protectiveenvironment rooms; verify performance of airborne infection isolationrooms; test for elevated humidity levels; and/or the like. With respectto facilities management, some of the various embodiments of the presentinvention may be employed to, for example: monitor construction andrenovation areas for particulates; verify barrier and air filtrationeffectiveness; monitor indoor air quality (IAQ); verify HVACperformance; generate real-time alerts; and/or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention may be employed to configure, use,and set thresholds for environmental monitoring. For example,embodiments may be employed to: choose metrics on which to setthresholds; create a baseline prior to setting thresholds; establish amethodology for setting thresholds; and/or the like.

Embodiments may monitor a multitude of metrics including, but notlimited to: airborne particulates, differential room pressure, airquality, CO2 levels, explosive gas levels, relative humidity, light,sound, vibration, temperature, and/or the like. A default setting may beset for one or more environmental sensor devices to collect data formultiple metrics. Some facilities (e.g. facilities that serve infectioncontrol, facilities, and patient satisfaction areas), may be interestedin collecting data for all of the metrics. Other applications may desireto set one or more environmental sensor devices to collect data for asubset of metrics.

If a particular metric is of no interest, an environmental sensor devicemay be set to: not collect data related to that particular metric;disable the display for that particular metric; disable alarms for thatmetric; disable reporting of that metric; combinations thereof; and/orthe like. Settings may be set employing for example: a graphical userinterface (GUI); a communications command; a physical switch;combinations thereof, and/or the like. Some embodiments may employ a GUIwith an options page that includes for example, a checkbox, to disableall reporting of a particular metric. As with many alarms andthresholds, an options page may be employed to make selections globalamong multiple environmental sensing/monitoring devices in a facility.Alternatively, options may be performed from an individual environmentalsensor device's option page, affecting a single environmental sensordevice or a subset of environmental sensor devices.

According to some of the various embodiments, a selection may be made ofwhich metrics may generate alarms. It may be that one or more metricsare of interest from a data gathering perspective, but be of lessinterest for alarm generation. There may be a balance between neededalarms and alarm fatigue. Alarm fatigue may occur when a user becomesinsensitive to alarms due to being overloaded with too many alarms, andin particular alarms which may not be considered critical in nature.

According to some of the various embodiments, in a default installation,room pressure and light may be set to not generate alarms. If the alarmbox is checked, any time that the threshold(s) for that metric is (are)exceeded, an alarm will be generated. If the alarm box is not checked,the data for this metric may still be displayed, but no alarmsgenerated, regardless of the data value.

According to some of the various embodiments, a main administrative pagemay be employed to select which users will be notified when variousalarms are activated. Alarms may be “data” alarms, “network” alarms,“calibration” alarms, combinations thereof, and/or the like. “Data”alarms may be generated when a metric exceeds a set threshold. “Network”alarms may be generated when environmental sensor device(s) is/are down,not responding to the server, having network communication issues (e.g.dropped packets), combinations thereof, and/or the like. “Calibration”alarms may be generated when environmental sensor device(s) is/are duefor a periodic (e.g. monthly, yearly, etc.) calibration. Alarm fatiguemay be mitigated by ensuring that specific staff are assigned to thecorrect alarm categories.

Averaging of Data.

According to some of the various embodiments, global and/or individualoptions may be configured to enable one or more metrics to averageand/or smooth data. The averaging and/or smoothing operations may employa range of averaging options. Averaging may be employed to control“noise” and variability of data and to reduce alarms that might begenerated on very short term unique events that a user may prefer toignore. In other words, averaging and/or smoothing may be employed as atool in controlling alarm fatigue.

By way of example and not limitation, default averaging windows forvarious conditions may be employed: Airborne Particulates: 20 Minutes;Real-time (R/T) Air Quality: 1 Minute (STEL is fixed at 15 mins, TWA isfixed at 8 hrs); Differential Room Pressure: 1 Minute; RelativeHumidity: 10 Minutes; Sound: 10 Minutes; and Light: 10 Minutes. Theseaveraging windows may be changed as needed by the user to obtain aslower response (increased averaging) or a faster response (decreasedaveraging).

When graphing and exporting data, either the averaging windows set on athreshold page may be used or different averaging windows may beselected as desired for the purposes of graphing and exporting.According to some of the various embodiments, regardless of theaveraging window chosen, when graphing, selecting a real time button maybe configured to add real time, non-averaged data to a graph forcomparison purposes and to give a visual indication of the amount ofaveraging selected.

When first baselining a facility, a user may try multiple averagingvalues to achieve a desired response time to unusual or hazardousevents, while minimizing false alarms and ignoring short transientevents. Selecting an averaging value which is a compromise between toofast of a response and too slow of a response may be made based on thetrials. Additionally, according to some of the various embodiments,averaging value(s) may be independently chosen for each metric. Somemetrics such as airborne particulates may benefit from increasedaveraging to ensure an accurate representation of a room, while othermetrics such as room pressure may utilize decreased averaging in orderto respond quickly to a loss in room pressure.

FIG. 7 is an example GUI 721 configured to set global and/or thresholdoptions and setting. As illustrated, this example GUI 721 may beemployed to enable a user to set global options such as, for example,which metrics to display, which metrics to alarm on, and the thresholdsfor alarm(s). Selections made on a global options page may be applied tomultiple environmental sensor devices. A similar options page may beemployed for individual environmental sensor devices or subsets ofenvironmental sensor devices, to allow the user to set thresholdsdifferently on a per environmental sensor devices basis.

Initial Threshold Setting Considerations.

According to some of the various embodiments, one example methodology insetting alarm thresholds may be to first baseline a facility. Thebaseline data may be employed in setting thresholds. In this case, alarmbox(es) may be deselected during a baselining period. Apply this settingto environmental sensor devices and operate the environmental sensordevices for an initial baseline period of time. The baseline period oftime may be, for example, from a day to as long as a week or more. Thebaseline period of time may be set to cover a period of time thataccounts for a set of normal operating tasks for the facility to beperformed, a period that would allow contaminates to move about in afacility, combinations thereof, and/or the like. Data may be collectedthroughout this baseline period of time. The baseline may be re-visitedover time, perhaps, for example, quarterly or yearly. As data is beingcollected, values for various metrics may be reviewed using, forexample, graphing functions to see both daily and long term trends andissues. Once a facility has operated at a normal and acceptable stateduring the baseline period and baseline data has been collected,thresholds that are slightly more tolerant than the worst case baselinevalues may be selected and set. This may allow users to be alerted ifconditions in the facility deviate from this baseline.

According to some of the various embodiments, another examplemethodology in setting alarm thresholds may be to set thresholds perrecommendations from international or U.S. based standardsorganizations, such as the ISO (International Standards Organization),OSHA (United Stated Occupational Safety and Health Administration), theFGI/AIA (Facilities Guidelines Institute/American Institute ofArchitects), and ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE (American National StandardInstitute/American Society of Heating, Refrigeration andAir-Conditioning Engineers/American Society for Healthcare Engineering),combinations thereof, and/or the like.

Examples of metrics that may have thresholds based on standardsorganizations are airborne particulates, differential room pressure, airquality/CO2, and humidity.

Airborne Particulate Measurements.

According to some of the various embodiments, airborne particulatecount(s) may be a metric for infection control but may create achallenge in determining acceptable levels. This section providesinformation on how to set thresholds for a particulate count accordingto some of the various embodiments.

Some particle counters in environmental sensor devices may countairborne particulates in multiple channels for particles of differentsizes, such as, for example, in four channels of particles of sizes: 0.5um, 1 um, 5 um, 10 um, and/or the like. Counts may be referenced toparticles per cubic feet, particles per cubic meter, particles perliter, and/or the like. Additionally, counts may be reported in variousmodes such as a cumulative mode, a differential mode, and/or the like.

Some particle counters in environmental sensor devices may count theabsolute number of airborne particulates from, for example, 0.5 um to 10um. There are cleanroom classifications for airborne particulates thatare absolute in nature, as well as FGI/AIA guidelines that are relativein nature. Before global cleanroom classifications and standards wereadopted by the ISO, the U.S. General Service Administration's standards(US FED STD 209E) were often applied. As the need for internationalstandards grew, the ISO established a technical committee and severalworking groups to establish its own set of standards, now known as ISO14644-1.

Some cleanroom standards were developed for applications where anabsolute contamination level may be important, such as semiconductorprocessing and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This same concern withabsolute levels of contamination may also have applications to infectioncontrol in healthcare institutions, such as preventing infections duringsurgical procedures or preventing infections within immune compromisedpatient communities.

Examples of cleanroom standards include: ISO 14644-1, which contains 9classes; ISO 1 through ISO 9; FED STD 209E, which contains 6 classes,and Class 1 through Class 100,000. The charts in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8Bshow both ISO 14644-1 and FED STD 209E standards for comparison. Thesemeasurements are in a cumulative mode and are absolute in nature. Thesestandards are presented for illustrative purposes. Those skilled in theart will recognize that other requirements could be applied to variousembodiments.

ISO standard created for semiconductor clean rooms may be adapted to beused with particle counters in a healthcare environment. For example, asubset of ISO classes applicable to healthcare facilities may beidentified. In addition to the sub-set, larger particle size limits maybe extrapolated and applied to a class. Raw data from multiple channelsof a particle counter may be reduced to a single class value. Processingmay keep track of the number of particles counted in each bin over anaveraging period and ignore bins where the particle count is very low(to minimize measurement uncertainty).

In comparison to the absolute international and U.S. cleanroomstandards, the FGI/AIA ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170/2010 Design Guidelinerecommendations may also be applied to various embodiments as recited inthe following illustrative relative requirements: ProtectiveEnvironment: High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) (99.97% removal of0.3 um and greater particles); Class B, C Surgery, Inpatient Care,Treatment, Diagnosis: MERV 14 (85% removal of 0.3 um, 90% removal of 1um and greater particles); Class A Surgery, Laboratories: MERV 13 (75%removal of 0.3 um, 90% removal of 1 um and greater particles); NursingFacility: MERV 13 (75% removal of 0.3 um, 90% removal of 1 um andgreater particles); Inpatient Hospice Facility: MERV 13 (75% removal of0.3 um, 90% removal of 1 um and greater particles); and Assisted LivingFacility: MERV 7 (70% removal of 1 um and greater particles). It shouldbe noted that these requirements may be relative to a facility freshoutside air intake particulate level. High Efficiency Particulate Air(HEPA) filters may be assigned MERVs based on their performance inaccordance with standards published by the LEST (Institute ofEnvironmental Sciences and Technology). Minimum Efficiency ReportingValue (MERV) may be a measure used to describe the efficiency with whichparticulate filters remove particles of a specified size from an airstream.

There are also several European health care airborne particulatestandards that may be employed, some of which may be more thorough thanthe US standards, in that they consider differences between a room atrest (unoccupied) and in use (occupied as intended).

At rest measurements may be useful to determine how well a basicfacility air filtration system is performing. In use measurements may beuseful to determine how well the room ventilation design is performingat keeping particulates generated by personnel and their movement fromentering the protected area located around the patient. In any givenoperating room, for example, the design of the ventilation system may besuch that filtered air is allowed to flow directly down onto thepatient, and then wash away from the patient, and eventually be directedinto return ducts outside a protected area surrounding the patient. Inthis manner, particulates generated by personnel should not enter theprotected area and instead should be directed into return ducts.

Another example standard, German standard DIN 1946-4:2008-12, requiresan at rest limit of class H13 HEPA filter (ISO 5) in Class 1 rooms, andalso specifies a degree of protection during occupied times of at least2.0 if surgical lights are present, and at least 4.0 if no surgicallights are present. A degree of protection of 2.0 may be equivalent toISO 7, and a degree of protection of 4.0 may be equivalent to ISO 5. Yetother example standards, French standard NF S 90-351:2003-06 and Italianstandard UNI 11425:2011-09 both place limits on airborne particulates inan at rest situation at ISO 5.

Setting Airborne Particulate Thresholds.

The FGI/AIA standards may be relative, requiring a certain percentagereduction with respect to the actual outdoor environment. Sampling theoutdoor environment, it may be possible to baseline and continuouslymonitor the outdoor environment and set thresholds which vary based uponthe outdoor environment.

However, according to an alternative embodiment, thresholds may be setlow enough for fixed absolute limits for healthcare facilities, basedupon worldwide cleanroom standards, and a worldwide definition ofnominal outdoor urban air quality, which is ISO 9.

Rather than monitoring multiple size channels and setting individuallimits per channel, particle counters in environmental sensor devicesmay categorize airborne particulates in terms of compliance to astandard such as, for example, an absolute ISO class based standard. Insuch example embodiments, particle counters in environmental sensordevices may be configured to, for example, measure particles from 0.5 umto 10 um, and spans the ISO cleanroom standards, as well as the FGI/AIAstandards, and employ extrapolated ISO based limits for a 10 um channel.FIG. 8B is a table of an example ISO Class limits that may be employedto set thresholds for categories of measured particle.

Assuming that the outside air quality is equivalent to ISO 9/Urban Airas the reference point for the FGI/AIA requirements, it may be possibleto map these relative requirements into absolute limits. Using thismethodology to set limits may require facilities located where theoutside air is dirty to provide additional filtering to achieve anindoor particulate level that is as low as a facility located where theoutside air quality is equivalent to or better than ISO 9/Urban Air.Using, for example, ISO 9 as a fixed reference, each ISO level mayrepresent the following relative reductions in particulate levels: ISO 9Reference: 100%; ISO 8: 90%; ISO 7: 99%; ISO 6: 99.9%; ISO 5: 99.99%;ISO 4: 99.999%; and ISO 3: 99.9999%.

Using, for example, limits specified in the FGI/AIA standards,requirements may be mapped into the following example ISO levels: a HEPAlimit of 99.97% removal based upon ISO 9 as a reference may result inusing an ISO 5 limit (99.99%); and a MERV 13/14 limit of 90% removalbased upon ISO 9 as a reference may result in using an ISO 8 limit(90%).

According to some of the various embodiments, using the ISO class limitssuch as described above, an ISO class alarm mode may be employed withthe ISO class alarm thresholds set as follows: ProtectiveEnvironments—ISO Class 5 (at rest), ISO Class 5.5 to 6 (in use); ClassB, C Surgery—ISO Class 5 (at rest), ISO Class 5.5 to 6 (in use, invasiveimplant procedures), ISO Class 6 to 7 (in use, general procedures);Class A Surgery, Inpatient Care, Treatment, Diagnosis, Laboratories—ISOClass 8 (in use); Nursing Facility; ISO Class 8; Inpatient HospiceFacility—ISO Class 8 (in use); Assisted Living Facility—ISO Class 8 (inuse); and other location requiring tight control—ISO Class 6-7 (in use).Of course, embodiments may provide an option to choose to not use an ISOClass of airborne particulate thresholds. Custom limits may be set inparticle count size bins such as the 0.5 um, 1 um, 5 um, and 10 um sizedbins. Additionally, thresholds may be calculated in either a cumulativeand/or differential mode.

ISO based measurements may be inherently made in a cumulative mode. Acumulative counting mode may include all particles that are equal orgreater to a channel size. For example, if a 7 um particle is counted,it may yield one count in each of the 0.5 um, 1 um, and 5 um channels,and a zero count in the 10 um channel.

A differential counting mode may include particles that are equal orgreater than a channel size, but less than the next greater channelsize. For example, if a 7 um particle is counted, it may yield a zero inthe 0.5 um and 1 um channels, a 1 in the 5 um channel, and a zero in the10 um channel.

A default mode of operation may be an ISO Class 8 mode operating in acumulative mode of operation.

In any given facility, it may be desirable to set environmental sensordevice thresholds separately. For example, an operating room may requirelower thresholds and a construction area or general treatment room mayhave higher thresholds. One may employ a global threshold setting to setall units to the most commonly used thresholds and then individually (orin subgroups) adjust environmental sensor units as needed.

The airborne particulate sensor may normally operate with approximatelya 50% duty cycle, (e.g. one minute on and one minute off) to allow forprecise sound measurements to be made during the off cycle. Inenvironments such as operating rooms, if a noise measurement is notneeded, the particulate pump may be set to run more often (e.g. alwaysrun), which may decrease the measurement uncertainty of the particulatemeasurement.

The particulate pump may be set to off, which in turn may disableairborne particulate measurements and improve the accuracy of the soundmeasurement. By way of example, and not limitation, available pump modesmay be set to: 50% duty cycle (default), always on (sound measurementdisabled), and always off (airborne particulate measurement disabled).

Differential Room Pressure Thresholds.

Certain rooms within a healthcare institution may be pressurized, eitherpositively or negatively. Examples of positively pressurized rooms areoperating room (OR) and protective environment (PE) rooms. Examples ofnegatively pressurized rooms are airborne infection isolation (AII)rooms and construction areas.

The FGI/AIA ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170/2014 Guidelines list the followingdifferential pressure limits for various environments: AII Rooms:Negative 2.5 Pa/0.01 in WC; Bronchoscopy Procedure/Sputum InductionRooms: Negative 2.5 Pa/0.01 in WC; PE Rooms: Positive 2.5 Pa/0.01 in WC;Class B/C OR Rooms, Operating/Surgical Cystoscopic Rooms, CaesareanRooms: Positive 2.5 Pa/0.01 in WC and Hospital Construction Barriers:Negative 7 Pa/0.03 in WC. Similarly, the CDC (Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention) EIC MMWR list the following differentialpressure limits for various environments: PE Rooms: >Positive 8 Pa; andAII Rooms: <Negative 2.5 Pa. Some embodiments may be configured to testenvironments for pressure on an on-going basis where pressurization maybe maintained on an on-going basis.

For rooms requiring differential room pressure to be maintained, alarmthreshold may be set. For example, a differential room pressure alarmthreshold may be set to at least 5 Pa in general; and at least 8 Pa forPE rooms and construction barriers. Either a negative or positivethreshold may be selected as appropriate.

Thresholds for differential pressure may be very small and difficult tomeasure. Pressure sensors may come calibrated from the factory, butdifferences in physical orientation (horizontal on a desk/cart versusvertical in the wall mount bracket) and shifts due to physical shippingand handling may cause the zero point of the sensor to shift slightly.While this shift may be small with respect to the limits above, it maybe advantageous that pressure sensors used for pressure measurement bere-zeroed at times such as: after a final installation, after a move,after a construction event, and/or the like. This may, according to someembodiments be executed from an individual unit's options page.

Air Quality/CO2 Thresholds.

Although normal levels of CO2 may be considered harmless, under theright conditions CO2 may cause adverse health effects. Highconcentrations of CO2 in confined areas may be potentially dangerous.CO2 may act as an oxygen displacer in confined spaces and cause a numberof reactions. These reactions include, but are not limited to:dizziness, disorientation, suffocation, and under certain circumstances,death. CO2 may be measured in terms of parts per million (ppm), byvolume of air.

CO2 may be a good indicator of proper building ventilation and indoorair exchange rates. CO2 may be measured in buildings to determine if theindoor air is adequate for humans to occupy the building.

The following may occur as a symptom from differing concentrations ofCO2: 2,000 ppm—shortness of breath, deep breathing; 5,000 ppm—breathingbecomes heavy, sweating, pulse quickens; 7,500 ppm—headaches, dizziness,restlessness, breathlessness, increased heart rate and blood pressure,visual distortion; 10,000 ppm—impaired hearing, nausea, vomiting, lossof consciousness; and 30,000 ppm—coma, convulsions, death.

According to some of the various embodiments, an environmental sensingunits may report CO2 multiple ways, such as, but not limited to:Real-Time (R-T), Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL), and Time WeightedAverage (TWA). These three example CO2 measurements differ, in part, byhow long the measurement is integrated over time. For example R-Tresults may be integrated over approximately several seconds (e.g. 5-15seconds), STEL measurements may be integrated over approximately severalminutes (e.g. 5-15 minutes), and TWA results may be integrated overapproximately several hours (e.g. 5-12 hours).

Thresholds may be set according to suggested limits. For example,thresholds may be set according to OSHA suggested limits. OSHA has setthe following permissible exposure limits (PEL) for occupied buildings:STEL—30,000 ppm; and TWA—5,000 ppm. Default thresholds may be set atvarious values, such as, but not limited to: R-T—1,250 ppm; STEL—1,250ppm; and TWA—1,250 ppm. According to some embodiments, CO2 (or othergas) thresholds may be changed or not selected for alarm, as deemedappropriate.

Relative Humidity Thresholds.

According to some of the various embodiments, humidity sensor(s) may beemployed in environmental sensing devices to measure humidity.Guidelines may be employed to set relative humidity thresholds. Forexample, FGI/AIA ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE 170/2014 Guidelines suggest thefollowing relative humidity limits be maintained: Critical and IntensiveCare—30-60%; Endoscopy Procedure Rooms—30-60%; Class B/C OperatingRooms—20-60%; Treatment/Recovery Rooms—20-60%; and PE/AII Rooms—Max 60%.Default relative humidity thresholds may be set to 30-60%. According tosome embodiments, relative humidity thresholds may be changed or notselected for alarm, as deemed appropriate. When some embodiments arefirst powered on, a delay in the measurement and reporting of relativehumidity may be implemented to allow humidity sensor(s) to stabilize.For example, some embodiments may employ a delay in the range of 10 to40 minutes to allow humidity measurement(s) to stabilize.

Light Thresholds.

According to some of the various embodiments, ambient light sensor(s)may be employed in environmental sensing devices. According to someembodiments, ambient light sensor(s) may be provided that approximatethe human eye response to visible light. Rejection to infrared and 50/60Hz lighting ripple may also be provided. The light level may bedisplayed as Lux. A light sensor input port may be located in a positionvisible to light in an environment. For example, the light sensor may bedisposed on the top of an environmental sensing device. Some embodimentsmay allow the light sensor to be positioned to face a main desiredsource of light for satisfactory operation.

An alarm may be set for a desired light level, configurable for both lowlight or high light thresholds. A default setting is an alarm associatedwith a light sensor that may be disabled, with limits such as, forexample, approximately 200 Lux and/or 2000 Lux. According to someembodiments, light thresholds may be changed or not selected for alarm,as deemed appropriate.

Sound Thresholds.

According to some of the various embodiments, audio sound sensor(s) maybe employed in environmental sensing devices. Audio sound sensor(s) maybe configured with, for example, a wide dynamic range logarithmicamplifier and/or an A-weighted audio filter to approximate the human earresponse to different sound frequencies. The audio level may bedisplayed/reported as dB (decibel) sound pressure level, A-weighted (dBASPL).

Audio sound sensor(s) may be used to provide a quantitative baseline ofthe noise level within a healthcare environment. Normal speaking voicesmay be approximately 65 dBA. Levels above 85 dBA may permanently damagehearing. The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety andHealth) has established a permissible exposure time of 8 hours at alevel of 85 dBA SPL.

By way of example, and not limitation, the FGI/AIA ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE170/2014 guidelines may be employed in setting sound thresholds. Forexample, the following sound guidelines may, according to some of thevarious embodiments, be employed: separate limits be set for day andnight periods; the night limit be set 5 to 10 dBA below the day limit;and daytime limits may typically vary between 55 and 65 dBA.

An alarm may be set for a maximum sound level desired. According to someof the various embodiments, a default sound threshold may be set at 80dBA SPL. According to some embodiments, sound threshold(s) may bechanged or not selected for alarm, as deemed appropriate.

When airborne particulates are also measured, sound measurement(s) maybe de-sensitized during the airborne particulate pump cycle. This pumpmay be set to off to disable airborne particulate measurements andimprove the accuracy of the sound measurement. Example available pumpmodes may comprise: 50% duty cycle (default), always on (soundmeasurement disabled), and always off (airborne particulate measurementdisabled).

Differential Pressure.

Some of the various embodiments may employ pressure sensor(s) such as adifferential pressure sensor, a single pressure sensor or a multitude ofpressure sensors.

A differential pressure sensor within an environmental sensing unit maybe configured to measure the pressure differential between the ambientpressure in the room in which the sensor is installed (the referencelocation) and an adjacent room or hallway (the external location).According to some embodiments, both positive and negative pressuredifferentials may be measured. Pressure may be displayed/reported in,for example, Pascal (Pa), with a full scale of approximately +/−24.9 Pa.

In embodiments in which both positive and negative differential pressuremay be measured, measurement polarit(ies) may need to be observed. Somerooms may be configured to be positively pressurized (the room pressureis greater than the adjacent room or hallway) or negatively pressurized(the room pressure is less than the adjacent room or hallway).

A reference port may be inside an embodiment of an environmental sensingunit. A measured external port may be located on an outside (e.g. rear)panel. A quick disconnect fitting may be employed to simplify thisconnection. A tube may be routed from the external port to an adjacentroom or hallway. Various static probes and wall plates may be employedto complete this connection.

The differential pressure sensor may be a precision device, configuredto measure small pressure differentials. The zero pressure point may befactory calibrated, however changes in physical installations of anenvironmental sensor unit embodiment may cause small shifts in this zeropressure calibration. According to some of the various embodiments,environmental sensor device firmware may be employed to re-zero the zeropressure state. The environmental sensor device firmware may zero thezero pressure state in response to a command. The command may beinternal or may be initiated from an external monitoring device and/orother control system. The environmental sensor device may be stationarywhen performing a zero pressure calibration. The environmental sensordevice may be in mounted position stationary when performing a zeropressure calibration is stationary. The mounted position may be a finalmounted position. The environmental sensor device may have the externalport disconnected with little or no airflow over or around this externalport when performing a zero pressure calibration. A default calibrationmay be stored for retrieval. The default calibration may be a factorycalibration.

According to some embodiments, a differential pressure threshold(s) canbe set for a desired minimum room pressure. A differential pressurealarm may be changed or not selected for alarm, as deemed appropriate.

Differential Room Pressure Monitoring.

According to several of the embodiments, a variety of accessories may beemployed with an environmental sensor device including, but not limitedto: quick disconnect fitting(s), wall plate(s), static pressuresensor(s), quick disconnect fitting(s), combinations thereof, and/or thelike. Quick disconnect fitting(s) may include an adaptor configured toplug into an external pressure port of an environmental sensor device toallow a user to monitor differential pressure in remote locations. Aquick disconnect fitting may be attached, by use of flexible tubing, to,for example: a wall plate, a static pressure sensor probe, combinationsthereof, and/or the like.

Room static pressure sensor(s) may be installed in a remote locationsuch as, but limited to: an external room, a nearby room, a nearbyhallway (e.g. adjacent to the location of the remote sensing device),and/or the like. Room static pressure sensor(s) may be installed in aremote location to monitor the pressure differential between the remotesensing device location and the remote location. The room staticpressure sensor may be attached to the quick disconnect fitting usingflexible tubing. The tubing may be attached to the back side of a wallplate by installing the tubing over a barbed connector adaptor.Alternative configurations may be employed which do not employ quickdisconnect fittings.

Static pressure sensor(s) may be installed, for example, through a wallbetween the location of a remote sensing device and an external room orhallway. Static pressure sensor(s) may, according to some embodiments,be attached to a quick disconnect fitting using flexible tubing. Thetubing may be attached to the static pressure sensor by installing thetubing over a barbed adaptor. Static pressure sensor(s) with variouslengths may be employed to match varying wall thicknesses, such as, forexample, 4″, 6″, 8″, and/or the like.

Tubing may be installed to a quick disconnect adaptor by aligning theend of the tubing with the barbed end of a quick disconnect adaptor. Thetubing may be pressed firmly in place until it reached the flange of theadaptor. The tubing may be gently pulled to verify that it is locked inplace.

A static pressure sensor may be installed in a wall as follows.Determine a size based on the thickness of the wall where the sensorwill be placed. Determine a proper location to create a wallpenetration. Verify that there are no utilities located between thelayers of wall board in the desired location including: electricalcabling, water pipes, duct work, networking equipment, etc. Drill a holethrough the wall, including wall board or other wall material on eachside of the wall. Insert the static pressure sensor through the drilledhole. Verify that the end of the static pressure sensor extends fullythrough the hole and into the area where external differential pressureis to be measured. Secure the static pressure sensor in place usingscrews or other sufficient attachment mechanism. (e.g. caulk, glue,nails, etc.). Connect tubing to the end of the static pressure sensor.Gently pull the tubing to verify it is in place. If the static pressuresensor probe is too long, an installer may cut the end to make it flushwith the outer wall surface. The tubing may be affixed to theenvironmental sensing device external pressure sensor port.

A static pressure sensor may be installed in a room. A room staticpressure sensor may be employed to monitor pressure remotely using anaesthetic wall plate assembly. The room static pressure sensor may beinstalled in the same manner as a typical wall outlet. A proper locationin the room to monitor external pressure may be determined. A standardelectric outlet box may be mounted in a wall near the determinedlocation. The tubing from an environmental remote sensing device may berun to the room in the same manner as an electrical or data cable. Itmay be advantageous to verify that all local codes are being met whenperforming this type installation. A non-kinking tube adaptor whichallows a tube to bend at angles without restricting the air flow throughthe tubing may be employed to connect the room static pressure sensor toan environmental sensing device. This is useful when working in tightspaces as is sometimes required when installing in an outlet box. Thenon-kinking tube adaptor may be aligned with a connector on the back ofthe room static pressure sensor. In some embodiments the room staticpressure sensor may employ a barbed connector. In this case, the adaptormay be pressed firmly in place seating against the base of the barbedconnector. The tube that was previously run through the wall outlet boxto the tube adaptor may be attached to the non-kinking tube adaptor. Thewall plate may be attached to the wall outlet box using screws or otherattachment mechanisms such as caulk, glue, nails, etc. The room staticpressure sensor may be installed in the outlet box. It may be helpful tohave as much of the bend in the tubing take place in the non-kinkingtube adaptor. The external pressure sensor may then be connected to thetube. Some embodiments may employ a quick disconnect fitting on the backof an environmental sensing device. To install a quick disconnectfitting, (1) depress a latch on the differential pressure sensorconnector and then (2) insert the quick disconnect fitting until itsnaps on place. Gently pull on the quick disconnect fitting to verify itis properly latched in place.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedfor healthcare environmental air quality monitoring. Embodiments may beconfigured for real-time environmental quality monitoring solution,comprised of facility-wide, low-cost, compact, multi-sensor modules.Environmental sensor devices may be placed just about anywhere in thefacility to allow immediate real-time and 24/7 monitoring and long-termprofiling. Environmental sensor devices may also be conveniently movedaround a facility as needed to respond to construction or problematicareas. Multiple environmental sensor devices may be deployed within afacility to ensure adequate coverage.

Environmental sensor devices may assist in infection control by:monitoring airborne particulate counts facility-wide; monitoringdifferential room pressure of key areas of a facility; verifyingperformance protective environment rooms; verifying performance ofairborne infection isolation rooms; and testing for elevated humiditylevels. Environmental sensor devices may assist in facilities managementby: monitoring construction and renovation areas for particulates;verifying barrier and air filtration, effectiveness; monitoring indoorair quality (IAQ); verifying performance of HVAC; and generatingreal-time alerts. Specifically, embodiments of the present embodimentmay be configured to: monitor an AII; monitor an AII room with anantechamber; monitor a PE; monitor a PE with an antechamber; monitor aconstruction area; monitor a combinations thereof, and/or the like.

Environmental sensor devices may be employed to monitor healthcarefacilities for compliance with various healthcare facility guidelines.FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are example healthcare facility guidelines. FIG. 9Ais a chart for engineered specifications for positive and negativepressure rooms from the CDC (CDC EIC MMWR Jun. 6 2003). In FIG. 9A: (1)1 DOP is an abbreviation for dioctylphthaltate particles of 0.3 um; (2)If the patient requires both PE and AII, return air may be HEPA filteredor otherwise exhausted to the outside; and (3) HEPA filtration ofexhaust air from AII rooms may not be required providing that theexhaust is located to prevent re-entry into the building. FIG. 9B is achart showing example guidelines for design and construction of ORs inhealthcare facilities. In addition, the FGI and ASHRAE design guidelinesrecommend the following: sealed room with about 0.1 cfm/ft2; greaterthan 125 cfm airflow differential supply vs. exhaust clean to dirtyairflow; monitoring of PEs, AIIs, construction and renovation areas,other critical areas; greater than 12 air changes per hour (ACH) in newconstruction and 6 air changes per hour in renovation areas; andanteroom airflow patterns suitably designed for the application.

Thoughtful placement of environmental sensor devices may assist inaccurate monitoring of a facility environment.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedto monitor outdoor air quality. Outdoor air quality monitoring may beemployed to: create an air quality baseline, verify that indoor airquality is cleaner than outdoor air; monitor for poor outside airconditions; verify differential air pressure; combinations thereof;and/or the like. Outdoor air quality may be adversely affected by duststorms, pollen, outdoor construction, pollution, forest fires, and/orother factors. Before reacting to degraded indoor air quality, it may beuseful to know if such degradation is caused by degraded outdoor airquality and particle count. According to some of the variousembodiments, environmental sensor device(s) may be located indoors inthe proximity of an outdoor location to be sampled. If it is desired toget differential air pressure, environmental sensor device(s) may belocated in a nominal air pressure indoor location. Tubing may beconducted from an environmental sensor device's particle detector inletto the outdoor location. The outdoor location may be located in theproximity of the facility air intake to sample air being brought intothe building. A factor may be that the indoor air quality (particlecount) is better than the outdoor air quality (particle count), but thisis not always the case. It may be desirable (although not always thecase), that the indoor air pressure is positive relative to outdoor airpressure.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedto monitor AII rooms. AIIs may be designed to protect healthcareworkers, other patients, and the public in the hospital environment frompotential infection by airborne agents carried by infected, orpotentially infected, patients or groups. AIIs may have a negativepressure relative to adjacent spaces, and the (potentially infectious)air inside the AII must be suitably exhausted. With the AII,environmental sensor device(s) may be mounted outside of the AII room sothat it can be visually checked without entering the AII (in general,the environmental sensor device(s) may be placed in the positivepressure location). Static sensor pressure tips may be employed tosample the air pressure in the AII, so that the air pressure in the AIImay be compared to the air pressure in the adjacent corridor. Thresholdsmay be set to alert personnel when the differential air pressure dropsbelow desired levels.

An AII anteroom may be used in certain circumstances to provideadditional AII capacity in a hospital. In this case, environmentalsensor device(s) may be placed in the anteroom, on the wall outside ofthe AII room. Static sensor pressure tips may be employed to sample theair pressure in the AII room, so that the air pressure in the AII roommay be compared to the air pressure in the ante room. The AII room mayremain at a negative pressure relative to the anteroom. Thresholds maybe set to alert personnel when the differential air pressure drops belowdesired levels.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedto monitor PEs. PEs may be designed to protect patients who are mostsusceptible to airborne infectious agents. A PE may have a positivepressure relative to adjacent spaces to keep airborne particles fromleaking into the PE. With the PE, the environmental sensor device(s) maybe mounted inside the PE room so that it may be visually checkedperiodically by those within the PE. Static sensor pressure tips may beemployed to sample the air pressure in the adjacent space, so that theair pressure in the adjacent space may be compared to the air pressurein the PE. Thresholds may be set to alert personnel when thedifferential air pressure drops below desired levels. In general, theenvironmental sensor device(s) may be placed in the positive pressurelocation.

A PE anteroom may be used in certain circumstances to provide additionalPE capacity in a hospital. In this case, the environmental sensordevice(s) may be placed in the PE room adjacent to the anteroom. StaticSensor Pressure Tips may be employed to sample the air pressure in theante room, so that the air pressure in the ante room may be compared tothe air pressure in the PE room. The PE room may remain at a positivepressure relative to the anteroom. Thresholds may be set to alertpersonnel when the differential air pressure drops below desired levels.

Some of the various embodiments of the environmental sensor device(s)may also measure particle counts in PE rooms (and other rooms where itis desired to monitor presence or generation of particles).Environmental sensor device(s) may be located close to the diffuser orsource of air, high on a wall or ceiling, so that the particle count isrepresentative of the air coming into the room. This may enable theenvironmental sensor device(s) to detect degradations of incoming airquality and help to minimize “false alarms” due to normal activitieswithin the room which may create spikes in particle counts. In general,the environmental sensor device(s) may be placed in the positivepressure location.

According to some of the various embodiments, environmental sensordevice(s) may also be employed to monitor room humidity, which is arequirement in ORs. Sound and light levels can also be monitored whichare important factors for overall patient satisfaction.

Some of the various embodiments of the present invention may be employedto monitor air quality in construction and renovation areas.Construction and renovation activities may create special requirementsfor monitoring differential pressure and particle counts. Work areaswithin a hospital may be maintained at a negative pressure so thatparticles generated within the work area do not spread through thefacility. The air within the work area may be circulated through a HEPAfilter and is exhausted.

Environmental sensor device(s) may be located outside of the work area.Static sensor pressure tips may be employed to sample the air pressurein the work area, so that air pressure in the work area may be comparedto the air pressure in the adjacent corridor or patient area. Thresholdsmay be set to alert personnel when the differential air pressure dropsbelow desired levels, which may indicate that the barrier has beenincorrectly constructed, breached or damaged. For soft barriers,environmental sensor device(s) may be mounted on a ceiling adjacent tothe barrier, and the sampling tube conducted and attached to thebarrier.

Monitoring particle count in areas adjacent to work areas may beemployed to detect large increase in particle count caused byconstruction or renovation, which may signal a degradation in thebarrier, malfunction of HEPA filter or fan, or infection control riskassessment (ICRA) procedure violations. Environmental sensor device(s)may be mounted on the ceiling or on a high wall to avoid spurious falsealarms due to normal activities, which can create spikes in particlecount.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a suitable computing systemenvironment 1000 on which aspects of some embodiments may beimplemented. The computing system environment 1000 is only one exampleof a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest anylimitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the claimedsubject matter. Neither should the computing environment 1000 beinterpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any oneor combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operatingenvironment 1000.

Embodiments are operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with various embodimentsinclude, but are not limited to, embedded computing systems, personalcomputers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers,telephony systems, distributed computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices, and the like.

Embodiments may be described in the general context ofcomputer-executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Someembodiments are designed to be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network. In a distributed computingenvironment, program modules are located in both local and remotecomputer storage media including memory storage devices.

With reference to FIG. 10, an example system for implementing someembodiments includes a general-purpose computing device in the form of acomputer 1010. Components of computer 1010 may include, but are notlimited to, a processing unit 1020, a system memory 1030, and a systembus 1021 that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit 1020.

Computer 1010 typically includes a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby computer 1010 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, random accessmemory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology,compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) orother optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by computer 1010. Communication media typically embodiescomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or othertransport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. Theterm “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF),infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 1030 includes computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM 1031 and RAM 1032. Abasic input/output system 1033 (BIOS), containing the basic routinesthat help to transfer information between elements within computer 1010,such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 1031. RAM 1032typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediatelyaccessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit1020. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 10 illustratesoperating system 1034, application programs 1035, other program modules1036, and program data 1037.

The computer 1010 may also include other removable/non-removablevolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 10 illustrates a hard disk drive 1041 that reads from or writes tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 1051that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk1052, a flash drive reader 1057 that reads flash drive 1058, and anoptical disk drive 1055 that reads from or writes to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 1056 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include,but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards,digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solidstate ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 1041 is typically connectedto the system bus 1021 through a non-removable memory interface such asinterface 1040, and magnetic disk drive 1051 and optical disk drive 1055are typically connected to the system bus 1021 by a removable memoryinterface, such as interface 1050.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 10, provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 1010. In FIG. 10, for example, hard disk drive 1041 isillustrated as storing operating system 1044, application programs 1045,program data 1047, and other program modules 1046. Additionally, forexample, non-volatile memory may include sensor signal processingmodules, threshold excedent determination module(s), combinationsthereof, and/or the like.

A user may enter commands and information into the computer 1010 throughinput devices such as a keyboard 1062, a microphone 1063, a camera 1064,and a pointing device 1061, such as a mouse, trackball or touch pad.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit1020 through a user input interface 1060 that is coupled to the systembus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such asa parallel port, a game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor1091 or other type of display device may also connected to the systembus 1021 via an interface, such as a video interface 1090. Otherdevices, such as, for example, speakers 1097 and printer 1096 may beconnected to the system via peripheral interface 1095.

The computer 1010 is operated in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer1080. The remote computer 1080 may be a personal computer, a hand-helddevice, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other commonnetwork node, and typically includes many or all of the elementsdescribed above relative to the computer 1010. The logical connectionsdepicted in FIG. 10 include a LAN 1071 and a WAN 1073, but may alsoinclude other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace inoffices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1010 isconnected to the LAN 1071 through a network interface or adapter 1070.When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1010 typicallyincludes a modem 1072 or other means for establishing communicationsover the WAN 1073, such as the Internet. The modem 1072, which may beinternal or external, may be connected to the system bus 1021 via theuser input interface 1060, or other appropriate mechanism. The modem1072 may be wired or wireless. Examples of wireless devices maycomprise, but are limited to: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. In a networkedenvironment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 1010, orportions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. Byway of example, and not limitation, FIG. 10 illustrates remoteapplication programs 1085 as residing on remote computer 1080. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary andother means of establishing a communications link between the computersmay be used.

In this specification, “a” and “an” and similar phrases are to beinterpreted as “at least one” and “one or more.” References to “an”embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment.

Many of the elements described in the disclosed embodiments may beimplemented as modules. A module is defined here as an isolatableelement that performs a defined function and has a defined interface toother elements. The modules described in this disclosure may beimplemented in hardware, a combination of hardware and software,firmware, wetware (i.e. hardware with a biological element) or acombination thereof, all of which are behaviorally equivalent. Forexample, modules may be implemented using computer hardware incombination with software routine(s) written in a computer language(such as C, C++, FORTRAN, Java, Basic, Matlab or the like) or amodeling/simulation program (such as Simulink, Stateflow, GNU Octave, orLabVIEW MathScript). Additionally, it may be possible to implementmodules using physical hardware that incorporates discrete orprogrammable analog, digital and/or quantum hardware. Examples ofprogrammable hardware include: computers, microcontrollers,microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs); fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs); and complex programmable logic devices(CPLDs). Computers, microcontrollers and microprocessors are programmedusing languages such as assembly, C, C++ or the like. FPGAs, ASICs andCPLDs are often programmed using hardware description languages (HDL)such as VHSIC hardware description language (VHDL) or Verilog thatconfigure connections between internal hardware modules with lesserfunctionality on a programmable device. Finally, it needs to beemphasized that the above mentioned technologies may be used incombination to achieve the result of a functional module.

The disclosure of this patent document incorporates material which issubject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection tothe facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, for the limited purposes required by law, butotherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example, and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. Thus, the presentembodiments should not be limited by any of the above describedexemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that, forexample purposes, the above explanation has focused on the example(s)monitoring environmental quality in a medical facility. However, oneskilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the inventioncould be used to monitor environmental quality in other locations such apharmaceutical manufacturing facility, a semiconductor manufacturingfacility, a forensics laboratory, a house, a city, a cruise ship, and/orthe like.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures that highlight anyfunctionality and/or advantages, are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed architecture is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than thoseshown. For example, the steps listed in any flowchart may be re-orderedor only optionally used in some embodiments.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a. a data bus; b. atleast one processing unit connected to the data bus; c. an input/outputinterface; d. a communications interface connected to the data busconfigured to communicate with at least one environmental sensor devicecomprising a multitude of sensors, the multitude of sensors comprising:i. at least one particle counter; and ii. at least one differentialpressure sensor; e. a memory comprising: i. a data segment; and ii. acomputer readable instructions segment, the computer readableinstructions configured to cause the at least one processing unit to: 1.collect sensor data from at least one environmental sensor device; 2.generate a report of sensor data that exceeds at least one threshold;and
 3. employ, at least in part, sensor data from at least one particlecounter and sensor data from at least one differential pressure sensorto determine an estimated flow of particles between two locations. 2.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle counter hasmultiple channels for counting particles of different sizes.
 3. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle counter hasmultiple channels comprising: a. a channel for particles that areapproximately 10 um and less; b. a channel for particles that areapproximately 5 um and less; c. a channel for particles that areapproximately 1 um and less; and d. a channel for particles that areapproximately 0.5 um and less.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the particle counter has at least one channel for particles thatare less than 0.5 u.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theparticle counter counts particles as particles per unit volume.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particle counter isconfigured to operate in a cumulative counting mode.
 7. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the particle counter is configured tooperate in a differential counting mode.
 8. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the processed sensor data includes particle countsbased on at least one ISO standard.
 9. The apparatus according to claim1, wherein the particle counter has at least one channel, each of the atleast one channel configured to: a. have a channel size; and b. countparticles that are equal or greater than the channel size.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein processed sensor data ignoressensor data from the particle counter for specific sized particles. 11.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the differential pressuresensor is configured to measure the pressure in two separate areas. 12.The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the differential pressuresensor comprises at least two static pressure sensors.
 13. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the differential pressure sensor isconfigured to measure a remote pressure via tube.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the differential pressure sensor isconfigured to measure a remote pressure via static sensor pressure tip.15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the differentialpressure sensor is configured to measure a remote pressure via a signalcommunicated from a remote static pressure sensor.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the differential pressure sensor isconfigured to measure a local pressure via a local port.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the differential pressure sensoris configured to measure the differential pressure between a remote areaand a local area.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein themultitude of sensors further comprises at least one of the following: a.at least one light sensor; b. at least one sound sensor; c. at least onehumidity sensor; d. at least one temperature sensor; e. at least one airquality sensor; f. at least one at least one CO2 sensor; and g. at leastone hazardous gas sensor.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the at least one environmental sensor device comprises at leastone of the following: a. at least one other apparatus; b. at least oneenvironmental monitoring device; c. at least one networked environmentalsensor device; d. at least one SaaS; e. at least one environmentalsensing program; f. at least one cloud based server; and g. at least onenetwork server.